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"There's something unnatural about a boy his age being so... reserved."
--Headmaster Cid Kramer, on Squall's admission into preSeeD classes

Galbadia Garden was huge, a massive main building with expansions and extrensions stretching out in every direction. The most diversified Garden of the three, it sproted everything from obstacle courses to munitions training yards, from classrooms to labs, which could be loaned to scientists from the neighboring communities at request--for a price, of course.

And to think, twenty-two years ago, no one had been quite sure if it existed any more.

Galbadia Garden had a history that could be at best called "unique." Founded after Balamb and before Trabia, Galbadia had quickly risen to become the largest Garden via a set of agreements with the Galbadian military, many of which were under-the-table or just plain dubious. Many were apt to make the pun that, although G-Garden didn't train SeeDs, it was the most seedy institution of the three.

During the Ultimecia campaigns, G-Garden had been occupied by the Galbadian government under control of Ultimecia's avatar, Edea. In a rather ironic twist of fate, what had been a casual rivalry between B-Garden and G-Garden seemed to escalate into a full conflict, the two mobile campuses battling over the forests of Lower Centra. The dual invasion ended in a dubious Balamb victory, and Galbadia Garden disappeared.

Almost literally.

Years passed without anyone having the faintest idea where the Garden had gone. Some toyed with the idea that it might have been destroyed, or sunk into the ocean, never to be seen again; all that was known was that it never returned to Galbadia, and it had indeed disappeared from Lower Centra.

Seven years after its disappearance Galbadia Garden was found in the mountain ranges of Upper Centra, half-buried by avalanches and snowfall, wholly abandoned. Monsters had made their way in, and G-Garden was little more than a decrepit ruin.

Then the restoration began.

Balamb and Trabia sent what funds and help they could, Instructors moving into the restored building and doing what they could to help out. And in 4093--two years after G-Garden's recovery--after Caraway's death and Junon's election, G-Garden regained Galbadian financial support and opened up for operations once again.

Aya knew all of this. It had been taught in her classes, and G-Garden liked to flaunt their resolve and resilience. But all she could think as they stepped into the main hall was the thought she always had upon visiting: Wow. Sure is quiet.

"Will the SeeD party from Balamb Garden please report to the main conference room?" a voice chimed in, once again proving G-Garden's commitment to efficiency. Aya ws convinced that they had to have observation cameras at the entrance or something to that effect--it was uncanny how they seemed to know that they were there almost before they had arrived.

The adults in the group moved off, and Aya glanced at Kamalyn--who was a good deal more comfortable now that Squall was out of sight.

"It is just me, or is this place bigger than I remember?" Dina asked, motioning to the enclosed expanse.

"You live in Trabia, birthplace of claustrophobia," Aya chuckled. "Of course you think it's big."

Dina mock-frowned. "We're not that bad," she said.

"...guys?"

Everyone turned to see Tam approaching from one side, probably alerted by the message over the intercom. Tam was a shortish boy, with tousled brown-blonde hair and unusually expressive hazel eyes. Right now he looked... just about as happy as he ever looked. A shadow of a smile was visible on his face, and the air of polite reservation he always wore had receded into an air of friendly reservation.

Two years younger than me and probably twice the grown-up, Aya thought ruefully. Some people need to learn to enjoy their childhoods. "Hey, Tam!" She grinned, stepping forward to offer him a handshake. "Is Cabe here yet?"

"He stole one of his father's pistols and is playing sharpshooter in the Training Yard," Tam said, clasping her hand lightly.

"That sounds like Cabe," Dina said. "Someone is going to have to teach that boy some common sense."

"You're nine years older than he is," Tam said. "You can be the authority figure. I don't think he'll listen to anyone else." He paused a moment. "...but he seems to listen to you, Aya."

Aya shrugged.

Tam hesitated for a moment. "...I heard about the field exam," he said softly, finding something intensely interesting to stare at on the ground near his feet.

Aya's expression darkened perceptably. "Word travels fast, doesn't it?" she muttered sullenly.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Let's change the subject."

Tam shrugged, still looking at the floor. "...maybe we should go find Cabe?" he suggested.

Aya was off like a shot before he had even finished the sentence.