Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VIII belongs to Squaresoft
Save the Queen
The supreme happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved.
-Victor Hugo
Don't forget to love yourself.
-Soren Kierkegaard
Mission # 90023
Deling City Investigation
Squad A
Almasy Seifer
SeeD Rank 28
Trepe, Quistis
SeeD Rank 30
Instructions:
Investigate Deling City for suspicion confirmation of new sorceress. Reservations to stay seven days at Galbadia Hotel. For further briefing, report to General Caraway at Caraway's Mansion. Return back to Garden strictly after completion.
" What the—" Seifer Almasy growled. " I'm going on a mission for seven whole fucking days with you?"
Quistis Trepe raised an eyebrow. " Yes. With me." She took the folder from Seifer's hands.
He groaned. " Can't I assign myself to another mission? You know, with cute chicks who can at least get in a conversation without mentioning GFs and magic?"
The blond instructor flashed him look as she started to walk down the carpeted hallway of Balamb Garden's second floor classroom.
Seifer raised his arms in defeat. " Geez, sor-ry, Instructor. Didn't know we got up on the wrong side of bed this morning."
Quistis rolled her eyes and ignored him. " Remember, we meet tomorrow at the front gate in 1700. Don't be late."
" Me? Late? Of course not, Instructor." Seifer bowed and laid out an arm towards the elevator.
" Grouchy instructors first."
Note to self: Try not to beat Seifer up during the first few hours of our mission, Quistis thought, passing the blond SeeD and stepping on the elevator.
Seifer followed her and pressed the button for the first floor. Nothing was said on the short trip down. Then the doors opened and a new batch of students rushed into the elevator as Quistis and Seifer stepped out.
Seifer saluted her mockingly. " Bye, Instructor." With that, he sauntered along the corridors to the dormitories.
Quistis sighed and proceeded to the cafeteria. The next seven days were going to be very long.
She opened one blue eye lazily. Quistis groaned when she saw her digital clock beside her bed. 7:00 am. " Time to get up," She said out loud. Pushing blond strands away from her face, she tried to stand up, but found it difficult because every part of her body screamed for her to go back to sleep and lie back down on her soft bed.
Maybe I could sleep just a little bit longer…
Then she frowned at herself.
Seifer can be very contagious.
She laughed at the thought and forced her legs to get up. She stood, stretching slim arms above her head. Quistis headed to the shower, thinking of a nice cool bath to wake her up.
Then I'll go to the cafeteria to get coffee. Always works.
Stepping out of the shower, Quistis wrapped a towel around her body, running a hand down on her moist blond hair. She grabbed her pink outfit and slipped it on, then reaching for her comb.
She ran it through her hair, admiring the way it shined.
Maybe I should wear it down for a change.
Then she imagined Seifer's smirk.
' Instructor! What a surprise! Do you know that you're wearing your hair down? Or maybe you have a hot date waiting at Deling…Naughty instructor…'
Quistis shuddered.
Never mind.
She pinned it up in its usual way and looked at herself in the mirror. Bright blue eyes stared back at her expectantly. Her hair glistened gold as it caught the rays of sunlight through her window. Her two bangs framed the sides of her pale, flawless face. The sides of her full red lips formed a small pout while her clothes hugged each of the slim curves of her body. Her eyes clouded as what she had been pondering about for quite some time now drifted back in her thoughts. Sighing, she grabbed her Save the Queen off the bed and went out.
Eyes blazed as they saw the figure walk out of her room. The invisible being jumped down from her place on the window sill and went towards an aircraft positioned just outside the huge Garden. She waved a slender arm and half the gas on the helicopter's tank disappeared. Then with a blink of an eye, she vanished.
" Hyne! What does a person have to do to get a hotdog 'round here?!" Zell Dincht slammed a fist on the table. Every plate and cup jumped.
" Hey! Watch it, man! Orange juice almost spilled on the most handsome cowboy here in Garden," Irvine Kinneas said, putting his glass back on its place.
Zell snorted. " Most handsome? Since when?"
" Since the day my head poked outta my mother of course!" Irvine tilted his hat down and winked at a passing female nearby. She swooned.
" Hmph!" Selphie Tilmitt stuck her tongue out. " See if I ever go out with you again!"
Irvine quickly flashed her one of his to-die-for puppy-dog smiles. " Aww, Selphie! That was just a little ol' friend! You know you're the only one for me!"
Selphie grinned and flung her arms around Irvine, almost choking him. " Of course, Irvy!"
Zell watched the scene and nudged his girlfriend, Serena, on the ribs. " You know this happens every time?"
Serena's green eyes twinkled. " I could get use to it."
" Hey guys! What's up?" Rinoa Heartilly sat beside Selphie.
" Nothin'. Ya know, it's getting' pretty boring here," Zell said, yawning and stretching to emphasize his point.
" Yeah," Selphie agreed. " But at least we can look forward to the Garden Festival!"
Irvine groaned.
" Did you say something, Irvy?" Selphie smiled sweetly.
" Ahh, no! Of course not, Sefie!"
Rinoa laughed.
" Hey, where's Squall? Isn't he always with you in the morning?" Serena asked, sipping her coffee.
" He's briefing Quisty and Seifer on their mission," Rinoa replied. Then she bit her lip thoughtfully. " Seven days. We won't be seeing them for a while."
Irvine choked on his juice. " What? Quistis and Seifer alone on a mission for a week?"
" Didn't Quistis tell you?" Rinoa asked, taking a bite out of her doughnut.
Zell frowned. " Nah."
Selphie's eyes danced mischievously. " Heeey…That's perfect! They could have some time alone and all…"
" But all they ever do is argue," Serena said.
" Yeah, but what do we know?" Selphie shrugged.
Irvine waved. " It's Quisty! Quistis! Over here!"
They all saw the blond instructor turn around and point to her watch. She smiled apologetically and walked briskly towards the cafeteria entrance.
" Well…," Rinoa said. " They'll be okay."
Quistis tapped her foot impatiently.
'Me? Late? Of course not, Instructor.' God, Seifer!
Squall Leonhart had the same frown as Quistis'. He looked at his watch. " Quistis, are you sure you told him to meet us here in 1700?"
" Yes," Quistis sighed. She looked at the front entrance of Balamb Garden. " I'm sure he'll arrive here soon."
The black-clad Commander crossed his arms. " If he arrives any later, you will have to change your partner."
Thank God!
Quistis met Squall's blue eyes. He stared back.
So much has changed in him since Rinoa…He is still the same cold professional Squall we knew but…He can smile now. Laugh even. He's more open and…I don't know…Caring and loving…
She studied his pale face, the scar that ran across his forehead, his cold blue eyes, soft brown hair…
Squall coughed and looked away.
It's all gone now…My feelings for him. He's just one of my friends…
" Alright, Quistis," Squall said. " We have to find you another—"
" Wait for me!"
Squall and Quistis spun around. Seifer stood behind them, panting, blond hair sticking to his forehead in sweat. He bent down and put his hands on his knees for balance. Then he looked at instructor and commander, both looking very irritated.
Quistis raised an eyebrow. " Seifer. You are twenty minutes late. Did I not tell you that—"
" Oh cut the crap, Instructor." Seifer waved his hand lazily. He walked over to her.
" Now that we are all here," Squall flashed a glare at Seifer. Seifer just shrugged. " You are being sent on a mission because General Caraway called and asked help from SeeD to spy on a sorceress, a new one, who is rumored to be related to Ultimecia."
Not again, Quistis thought, frowning. She stole a look at the blond SeeD beside her, who showed no emotion.
" She has not done anything yet, so you both have to lay low. You are not allowed to attack unless needed. Quistis, I'm putting you in charge. Come back here after a week. That is all." Squall saluted them.
Quistis and Seifer followed suit.
" Your aircraft is waiting outside," He added. " It's in auto-pilot and it will take you to Deling without any problems.'
Quistis nodded and began to follow the suddenly quiet Seifer outside. She felt an arm grab her shoulder.
" Take care," Squall whispered.
She smiled and nodded, then went to the waiting helicopter.
Another change for Squall. Thanks to Rinoa.
The helicopter rose higher and higher and she could just make out Squall's retreating form. Quistis sat on the soft seat of the craft across Seifer. He was unusually silent, polishing his Hyperion.
Why is he so quiet? I was expecting rude comments and misbehavior. Well, at least I have time to think.
Blue eyes watched Seifer placed his gunblade on the table between them and put his feet up on the couch he was sitting on. His hands went to his head, making them a pillow. He opened an eye. " Hey Instructor."
" Yes?" Quistis asked, relieved that he was at least saying something to her.
" Have you ever had a dream and well, achieved it?"
Quistis knew what he was talking about. His dream to become a knight. " Well, yes," She answered slowly. " Why?"
" Nothing," Seifer replied. He winked at her and settled himself into sleeping.
Quistis could feel herself blush.
Oh come on, Quistis! What's gotten into you?
She shrugged it off, tearing her eyes away from the sleeping Seifer and instead focusing on the window. They had just passed Timber. Now the aircraft stood hovering above the beautiful landscape. Green grass, colorful flowers and calm blue waters were like a knitted carpet all below them. She found herself lost in thought.
Why would Seifer think that? Well…Maybe because we could be fighting another sorceress and what's more, one related to Ultimecia…I guess it brings back frightful memories. It must be hard back then. He had to face us and kill a lot of innocent people.
She stole a glance at Seifer. Then she frowned. He was sweating, even thought the airconditioner was on in full blast. He had a helpless expression on his face, one Quistis never saw. He began to twist and turn and mutter out words.
Hyne…
Quistis quickly stood up and went over to Seifer. She bent down and put a hand on his cheek. It was so cold. Her face looked alarmed. " Seifer," She whispered. " Seifer, wake up." He didn't open his eyes. Instead, he had gone colder.
Calm down, Quistis. Calm down.
She shook his shoulders gently at first. " Seifer!" She shook him hard. " Seifer!"
Finally, his eyes opened. He was breathless. Seifer pushed Quistis away.
" Are you okay?" Quistis asked, concern in her voice.
" I'm fine," Seifer replied. " I just had this…Never mind."
" You can tell me," She whispered.
Seifer glanced at her. " No, it's okay. Just go on doing whatever you're doing."
She saw him clench his fist. " Seifer…"
" I said it's fine."
Quistis sighed and went back to her seat. Then she looked out the window again and gasped.
" Hey, aren't we taking quite a long time…Wait, Instructor, do you smell—" Seifer looked out the window and saw smoke trailing behind them, coming from the helicopter. " Shit."
" We're in the middle of the sea!" Quistis stood up. " And we've passed Deling!"
" Um, Instructor, that's not exactly the problem right now. We're gonna crash!" Seifer yelled.
Hyne, Hyne, Hyne!!!!!!
" Quick, check if there's an emergency closet or something there," Quistis said, trying to think logic. The helicopter suddenly began to lose its speed. They were beginning to go down.
" None!" Seifer searched through the closets behind him. " Damn!"
They were plunging down fast.
" Quistis, we have to jump!"
Quistis looked at him wide-eyed. " Are you crazy? There must be something here, an emergency landing or—"
But Seifer had already thrown the door open, letting air in. Before Quistis could say a word, he grabbed her and jumped down to the blue sea below.