A SeeDy Christmas

By The 41st Maguanac

Chapter Five – A Few Unanswered Questions

"I can't believe that 5 of my best SeeDs are so irresponsible!" said Headmaster Cid. Rinoa, Squall, Zell, Irvine and Selphie sat in his study, each person trying to find somewhere else to look, rather than at Cid in his flannel pyjamas.

"But Sir…" started Irvine, removing the piece of tissue he had been holding next to his bleeding nose. He was quickly hushed.

"This all comes at a very inconvenient time," said Cid, sighing and reaching for his desk draw, where he kept his headache tablets. "I received an important message from the Government of Esthar this afternoon." Selphie perked up immediately.

"You mean we're going to see Sir Laguna?"

"Yes, Miss Tilmitt. President Loire has sent a general invitation to our Garden, inviting your group, and a number of others to the Esthar Christmas Festival." Cid handed a copy of the letter to Squall. "I believe you are familiar with Mr. Loire?"

"Yes," said Squall flatly. "The guy's a moron."

"Squall. I am not interested in your personal feelings towards Mr. Loire, or anyone else's for that matter. While you are in Esthar, you are to be polite and sensible at all times. While you are there, it is Garden's reputation you are upholding. The party is tomorrow night. We have already set a course for Esthar City, and will arrive there sometime tomorrow morning. There will be plenty of time for the Garden students to take a break while we are there, so take some time out and enjoy yourselves." Cid looked severe again. "I don't expect to hear of any behaviour unbecoming to SeeD and Garden. Now I suggest you all go to bed. You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow."

The tired group of SeeDs departed, leaving Squall behind, wanting a word with the Headmaster. Cid didn't even bother to turn around as he spoke to him.

"I had a feeling you'd want to see me, Squall."

"Sir, permission to speak freely."

"Permission granted."

"I would like your permission to miss tomorrow night's celebration. I have some…personal differences with Laguna, that I do not wish to bring up again."

"Permission denied."

"But Sir…"

"Squall. These 'personal issues' you speak of need to be resolved. There is no point in running from them. I have no doubt that you are referring to the rumour that he is your f…"

"No, Sir! Whatever it is that you've heard, it isn't true!"

"You mean that he isn't?"

"No Sir!"

"I didn't even know that you knew how to play, until I heard."

"No S… What?"

"The flute, Squall."

"What about it?"

"He wasn't your teacher?" Squall sighed with relief.

"No, Sir, I don't know how to play. Ridiculous rumour, Sir. Glad I put it to rest."

"Aah, very well then. My opinion stands. You will go to the party tomorrow. That is final."

"But…"

"Goodnight, Squall."

"Goodnight, Sir." Squall disappeared through the open doorway. Edea entered through the door to Cid's bedroom.

"He's going to find out eventually, you know," she said. "It's only a matter of time now."

"I know," said Cid, with a frown, "But when he does, he'll be better for it."

"I wouldn't be so sure…"

The following morning was bright, despite the chill in the air. All the SeeDs, Squall excepted, were looking forward to some shore leave after the months they had spent floating about and looking for trouble. Selphie was looking forward to it as much as anyone, if not, more. She laid her bright yellow clothes out on the bed, and resisted an urge to start singing again, in fear of getting Zell hammering on the wall again. He had put his fist through it last time. Squall had been unimpressed, to say the least.

Selphie was looking forward to seeing Laguna above everything else. He was just so cute! Even all the cotton candy and reruns of 'Little House on the Prairie' couldn't make up a trip to Esthar to see her favourite President.

"Selphie? Are you ready yet?" came a call from behind her door.

"Just a minute, Irvine," she called back, picking up her Strange Vision, and slinging it over her shoulder. She went and opened the door.

"Are you really going to need that?" he asked, motioning towards the Shinobou on her shoulder.

"Just in case," said Selphie, with a grin. "Anyway, you're one to talk," she said, raising one eyebrow, and pointing towards his holstered Exeter.

"Just in case," he said smiling back at her. "Esthar holds all sorts of hidden danger, you know."

"Whatever," replied Selphie, fastening her yellow jacket around her, and zipping it up to her neck.

"Are you sure you're going to be warm enough?" said Irvine, with a laugh. Selphie was dressed up to the neck in scarves, and a little yellow, woollen bobble hat.

"Yeah," she replied, "All this wandering the globe in a pair of shorts makes me really regret not packing any thermal underwear." Selphie walked right past Irvine, smiling to herself. Irvine just stood for a moment, wondering what kind of thermal underwear she was referring to.

Squall slept late that morning. He had considered sleeping late on purpose, but had decided against it before he had fallen asleep, and forgotten to set his alarm clock. Usually it didn't matter. Rinoa was as good as any alarm clock he had ever owned, but for one reason or another, she hadn't come in to wake him up that morning. Rinoa always took the liberty of waking him up, because she thought he looked 'cute' while he was asleep. He yanked on his leather trousers in half a second, and spent the next ten minutes fastening his extensive belt collection. He was on belt number 2, when there was a knock at the door.

"S'up Squall!" yelled Zell, through the door crack. "Are you nearly ready? We're supposed to meet Cid in the Hallway, and you know he gets real cranky if anyone's late!" Squall buckled belt number 3, and sighed.

"I'm nearly ready. Why don't you go on without me?" Squall smiled to himself. Maybe he could miss the ride into Esthar, and wouldn't have to go to Laguna's little party.

"Sorry, Squall," said the voice of Quistis. "He sent us here to pick you up personally."

"Just my luck," said Squall, half to himself. He buckled belt number 4, and then said, "You know, I'm really not feeling too well today. I think it's all that wandering about in the night, but I think I have… a… chill… or something. I think you'll have to go on without me."

"Squall," said Quistis, "We weren't born yesterday. Cid said that if there was any kind of resistance, we were to use 'violent measures' to get you out.

"What kind of 'violent measures' are these?" asked Squall, buckling belt number 5.

"Well," said Quistis, "Put it this way Squall, I didn't bring my Save The Queen as a fashion statement, okay?"

"Oh… okay," said Squall, with a worried frown. He finished buckling belt number 6, sheathed his gunblade, and opened the door.

"Aah, Squall?"

"Yeah?"

"You got your trousers on back-to-front."

"Oh… Shit."

To Be Continued.