+++
Disclaimer: If Squaresoft were gold, you would be fool's gold to think ff8 was mine.
Author's Note: I've considered things and now know how many chapters this will be. There might also be an alternate ending for those people who do not like straightforwardly mushy endings.
+++++
After we had reviewed the tape's contents, we concluded the usual love-hate relationship would be best to induce upon Factor A and B. Factor A enjoyed teasing more than Factor B. From Miss Trepe's tone of voice, it was easily deduced that she did not like her mission at all, with an imperious teammate taunting her half the time. She sounded exasperated and ready to snap in a second's notice. Mr. Almasy clearly relished his opportunity to further irritate his unruffled former Instructor.
Mica had explained the more murky details of the transcript, and a Phase 2 was now in order. It would take some time to decide upon the phase's structures.
A while ago, we had noted a coterie of both boys and girls trailing after Miss Trepe as she indifferently walked on. Apparently, these were fans of her. It was highly possible they could provide additional information that was still valuable to us.
We inquired with one who called herself Beatrice and learned that Factor B had become a SeeD at 15 and was once again the youngest Instructor. It was quite an accomplishment for Quistis Trepe, and she must have been relatively pressured by this prodigy status. The group called themselves Trepies, affectionately after their beloved idol's surname.
Perhaps one of them would come into use, but we would need hope a similar group pursued Factor A. After all, if both factors did not have equalities, there would be no purpose or strong intention for pursuing our present frame of mind's interest.
With luck, as we strolled around, we discovered a silly clique of giggling girls who were stalking Seifer Almasy. Unlike the moderately callous Miss Trepe, he was visibly irked and began threatening them with his gunblade while snarling foul words. To no avail, they continued following him, laughing more as they were being insulted. We did not wish to converse with one of those self-involved girls, but we had no choice, in the name of science.
OURSELVES: GOOD AFTERNOON MISS. MAY WE ASK OF YOUR NAME?
GIRL #1: OH, THIS IS A BAD TIME! I AM LANA, OK? [HER ATTENTION IS STILL UPON ALMASY] SEIFER! WAIT UP!
GIRL #2: [SEIZES OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK] HELLO HELLO! MY NAME IS WILLA! I'M SEED RANK 12! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN HELP YOU WITH? [GUSHES EXCESSIVELY, HAS NO SHAME]
GIRL #3: I'M ALEXANDRA AND I'M AT SEED RANK 15. I CAN HELP YOU TOO! [SEEMINGLY JUMPS WITH JOY]
OURSELVES: ACTUALLY, YES. WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE FOR TRACKING SEIFER ALMASY?
WILLA: [BEGINS SHRIEKING] YOU DON'T KNOW? WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? UNDER A ROCK? [CALMS DOWN TO A DEGREE] ANYWAYS, SEIFER IS LIKE THE HOTTEST GUY IN ALL OF BALAMB GARDEN AND HE WAS LIKE A BAD GUY DURING THE SORCERESS WAR BUT HE CAME BACK- WHAT A MAN! SO HE'S LIKE SO COOL AND THRILLING BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN HE MIGHT GO ALL-
ALEXANDRA: [CUTS HER FRIEND OFF] SEIFER IS SO, OH MY HYNE, SEXY! HE'S LIKE ALL HOT AND DANGEROUS AND IT'D BE SO COOL IF HE LIKE ASKED ME OUT OR SOMETHING-
OURSELVES: [INTERRUPT HER] AHEM. THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION.
WILLA: OH, IT'S NO PROBLEM AT ALL. BY THE WAY, IF YOU EVER NEED ME, CALL ME WILLA ALMASY. [SIGHS DREAMILY] HYNE… HE'S MELTING WAX, YOU KNOW THAT? LOOK! HERE HE COMES AGAIN! SEIFER! WOOHOO, SEIFER! [WAVES FRANTICALLY. ALMASY STORMS AWAY]
ALEXANDRA: YOU JUST MADE HIM LEAVE! [HANDS ON HER HIPS] ANYWAYS, YOU CAN TALK TO US ABOUT SEIFER ANYTIME. I'LL BE ALEXANDRA ALMASY. [GRINS]
OURSELVES: …THANK YOU. [ENDS]
We have two fan groups vying for their hero's interest. Beatrice would be an unknowing aide to our experiment, as would Alexandra, considering how Miss Willa is rather too wild for our use and Lana too huffy.
An excellent idea would be to plan our next phase and initiate it. Perhaps a strangely straightforward idea was in its stages, as we considered it to be. Outright lies would be too direct and obvious. We needed to have slyness and sneakiness, with no qualms or regrets towards our work. Otherwise, everything was for nothing.
Would a standard dinner date told to each factor by different people be a useful stepping-stone? Or would it be better if we conducted a more mundane thing? Another mission would certainly not last long, for they would probably be wary of the idea of both of them working together again.
We had taken note of their unique personalities, and designated fitting descriptions under each name. With the correct measurements and a decent amount of providence, this scientifically established love-hate relationship would grow and flourish. Beatrice would inform Quistis Trepe of a meeting to be held in a room unknown yet. Alexandra would notify Seifer Almasy of the same thing.
If both factors had large trust-capacities and gullibility, this phase would succeed.
+++++
AN: Ok, I will be grateful. TWO REVIEWS or I slit your throats! Nah, kidding. I'd just like to thank everyone who's been keeping up and reviewing each chapter- you make the writing world a better place!