(Author's Note:
Sorry 'bout this, but the Quistis angst is leading up to something in the coming chapters. I'd like to indulge all the Quistis fans and give her a break for humor, but I can't change the course of events that easily. I'll make it up to her... eventually... I promise....)
"Quistis, you can't possibly expect to be able to take Bendon Gansarro's word for anything of value! He's an emotional bully. Beating up people's feelings makes him feel cool. Didn't you even look at his profile when you had him in class?"
Quistis stared at her hands, clasped in her lap, and tried to avoid looking up at Xu. She nodded mutely. "I.. I guess... you're right."
"Trust me, Quisty. I wouldn't lie to you. Why should I?"
Quistis tried to smile. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "I'm acting... I'm acting like a kid. I shouldn't be."
"It's all right," Xu said, patting her on the shoulder. "There's no need to apologize."
The clock on Quistis's dresser chimed, and Xu looked up.
"I need to get back to the library," Quistis said. "Aki wanted me to find some books for her--I shouldn't keep her class waiting--"
"I'll take care of it," Xu said, standing gracefully. "You should take a nap. You look worn out."
"Thanks," Quistis responded. Xu shot her a caring smile, and turned to the door. As she stepped across the threshold, however, she was called back. "Xu?"
"Yes?"
Quistis hesitated. She'd never asked anyone this, but... this was her friend. If she couldn't trust Xu, who could she trust?
"Do you think... anyone could love me?"
Xu seemed taken aback. "Quistis,' she said. "Don't worry about stuff like that. You have friends who care for you, deeply. That's all that matters."
The door swished closed, but didn't close her question. Why hadn't Xu really answered?
Was the answer... no?
~
He woke up with the feeling that he had either had a bad run-in with a Grat, or drunk a really bad bottle of Mimmet Red.
Considering he was in the middle of the Training Center, Zell Dincht decided that it was the former.
Standing up, he shook his head vigorously. There was an acid burn on his shoulder--he'd have to get that taken care of--and he had no idea what time it was. He had the feeling that he was supposed to have met Instructor Sierra for something....
"For the final time, Dincht, if you're in here you'd better own up!" called a familiar voice, and Zell winced. Jogging over to the training center entrance, he pushed open the doors to see Sierra standing there, handy clipboard in hand. She was frowning, and he wondered if he should try to explain.
"Sorry, sir," Zell said awkwardly.
"You're thirteen minutes late, Dincht," Sierra growled. "You had better have an explanation."
"I got Sleeped by a Grat, sir," Zell said. "I didn't wake up until a moment ago."
"You have the Status-Junction ability, do you not?"
Zell found something fascinating to stare at on Sierra's shoe. "Yes, I do, sir."
"Next time you're in here, use it. We have a job to do." Sierra turned on her heel and stalked away. Zell slumped, shook his head, and straightened up to follow her.
"We're heading to Sych Vale ," Sierra informed him, snapping out every word in crisp military style. "We've had confirmed reports of a high-level GF in the area. Reports say hostile. In this mission I am only here for support--you are the leader, and I will follow your orders unless they seriously compromise our safety. If the mission is carried out to a suitably high standard, you'll be referred to the Instructor's Committee for further testing."
"All right," Zell said.
"And, SeeD Dincht," Sierra said.
"S-sir?"
"One of the marks of a good instructor candidate is punctuality."
Zell winced again.