Quistis' fingers gently strummed the strings of her harp, the haunting
music resonating around the Grand Hall. She loved to play her music here;
it was so quiet and still, bathed in the incandescent moonlight, the
perfect backdrop for her bewitching melodies.
Once at Fisherman's Horizon she had told Selphie that she had no musical aptitude. That was just a cover though. As much as she loved playing on her own, even the thought of playing in front of some one made her get butterflies in her stomach. They had all had to play for Squall that night, to celebrate his promotion to Commander. It was a promotion he hadn't really wanted, but it was necessary. He was a natural leader and they had needed him. A natural leader? That's what they told her she wasn't, right before they revoked teaching licence. Her hands faltered the music faded away leaving a loud and imposing silence. That night the Hall had been bustling with students celebrating the years Graduates. Squall, Zell, Selphie and Nida. It was the night she had first seen Rinoa. Her hands unconsciously began playing "Waltz to the Moon". It was her goal, to become a teacher, the best teacher she could possibly be, but she failed. She always failed; a lone tear escaped her eye and crept down her smooth porcelain skin. A Seed at 15, a teacher at 18, she had tried so hard, always so hard. But she failed. A Failure.
That's what they had told her. With memories of the orphanage a million other memories had slowly come back to her, including her adopted parents. They had chosen Quistis for her striking looks and golden hair. They had seemed nice to Matron and perhaps they were. But not for Quistis. They gave her everything they thought she needed, but they never gave her love or even their acceptance. They expected her to be perfect. They had wanted a child of their own but it wasn't possible for them. So they got Quistis. Perhaps she was beautiful and talented but she wasn't theirs so she could never be right. She tried so hard to make them love her, to make them proud but she Failed.
"Quistis, this time do it right! You know how, so why don't you?!"
More tears made their way down her cheeks as the newly resurfaced memories forced themselves upon her.
"Failure" she whispered and ran out of the Hall.
***
The sunbeams cascaded though Quistis' bedroom window and gently caressed her skin with their warmth. Her eyelashes fluttered open, a smile beginning to form on her deep red lips. She loved waking up naturally, she checked her clock. 8:15. The alarm would be going off in 5 minutes. She laughed softly at her fortune and turned it off. Shower, Dress and then? Today she was free, on standby for any mission that might come up. After getting ready and donning her peach coloured battle gear she decided to head off to the training centre.
***
"Quistis Trepe, could you please report to Headmaster Cid's office immediately?" Quistis finished off the grat she was drawing from with one flick of her 'Save the Queen' and set off towards the lift, a puzzled expression adorning her face.
What on earth could the headmaster want her for? People were usually only called to his office for punishment or promotion and she certainly wasn't expecting either.
Quistis got into the lift with a growing sense of unease and when the lift finally pinged, announcing her arrival at Cid's new office on the basement level, the feeling had become almost unbearable.
"Ah Quistis, glad you could come so promptly." Cid sat behind his desk, busily rearranging some papers. "Please take a seat. We have just received some intelligence from the newly installed type-F SeeD's in Esther. Here are the exact details" he said handing over a brown folder. "Read them in any spare time you have but I will tell you the basics just now. The president of Esther, a Laguna Loire - I believe you met him on your recent... 'Quest' He chose with a half smile after struggling for the correct word. "Loire has been in charge for approximately 18 years, dating back to the end of the sorceress war. Due to facts discovered on your adventure we know that he had a major part in defeating the sorceress and was offered the job of president. Despite most of Esthar being content with their leader the fact remains that Loire was never voted into his position effectively making him a dictator. Perhaps a very peaceful one... but some people will take any opportunity to gain power.
"In the Esthar army a secret faction has been created, their leader as of yet is unknown. It appears their ultimate aim is rebellion and they will most likely try and gain more support in the army and the rest of the city. Your mission is to go in undercover to Esthar and join the Estharian army. You will find out about anything you can about the organisation and their leader. Take any action necessary to prevent civil war."
"Sir, a few questions if I may?"
"Of course"
"Firstly, why not use a spy?"
"Type-F SeeDs may not be able to deal with some of the problems that may arise. Also there will be many different personnel involved in this mission, some type-F, some not."
"Secondly, the mission you described to me is vague, what do you actually want me to do?"
"Destroy the leader" She nodded, things were coming into focus.
"Lastly, and most importantly - aren't all members of the Army male?" Cid smiled.
"You have your first meeting with the doctor at 1400 hours."
***
Quistis looked into the mirror and gasped. A stranger stood in place of her reflection and he was regarding her with her own bemused azure eyes.
It had taken two days to complete the mask made from moulds of her own face. Such a short time for her to loose all recognition of herself. But she had to admit the face was handsome - blonde, choppy shoulder length hair framed her undoubtedly masculine face on which there was the first shadow of a beard. Her body had also been altered. Her breasts had been restricted and her slender body was concealed behind clothes with realistically made her look bulkier.
"Don't worry hun, you'll get used to it" The young 'doctor' reassured her. Although Quistis was unsure how the ladies job of giving people a new image gave her the title of doctor, there was no doubt of the girl's skill. And judging by her newly acquired handsome and rugged looking visage, the young lady certainly enjoyed her profession.
"How long will this last for?"
"Over a week but you should change it every night to be safe, the scalp wig can be a little uncomfortable to sleep in anyway."
"How do I change it?"
"Don't worry about that, someone will be assigned to you to help. I'm not sure about your mission but judging from your Estharian army uniform I'd be guessing they will be your bunkmate."
"I'd better go report. Thanks very much for all your help"
"Toodles!"
** *
Once at Fisherman's Horizon she had told Selphie that she had no musical aptitude. That was just a cover though. As much as she loved playing on her own, even the thought of playing in front of some one made her get butterflies in her stomach. They had all had to play for Squall that night, to celebrate his promotion to Commander. It was a promotion he hadn't really wanted, but it was necessary. He was a natural leader and they had needed him. A natural leader? That's what they told her she wasn't, right before they revoked teaching licence. Her hands faltered the music faded away leaving a loud and imposing silence. That night the Hall had been bustling with students celebrating the years Graduates. Squall, Zell, Selphie and Nida. It was the night she had first seen Rinoa. Her hands unconsciously began playing "Waltz to the Moon". It was her goal, to become a teacher, the best teacher she could possibly be, but she failed. She always failed; a lone tear escaped her eye and crept down her smooth porcelain skin. A Seed at 15, a teacher at 18, she had tried so hard, always so hard. But she failed. A Failure.
That's what they had told her. With memories of the orphanage a million other memories had slowly come back to her, including her adopted parents. They had chosen Quistis for her striking looks and golden hair. They had seemed nice to Matron and perhaps they were. But not for Quistis. They gave her everything they thought she needed, but they never gave her love or even their acceptance. They expected her to be perfect. They had wanted a child of their own but it wasn't possible for them. So they got Quistis. Perhaps she was beautiful and talented but she wasn't theirs so she could never be right. She tried so hard to make them love her, to make them proud but she Failed.
"Quistis, this time do it right! You know how, so why don't you?!"
More tears made their way down her cheeks as the newly resurfaced memories forced themselves upon her.
"Failure" she whispered and ran out of the Hall.
***
The sunbeams cascaded though Quistis' bedroom window and gently caressed her skin with their warmth. Her eyelashes fluttered open, a smile beginning to form on her deep red lips. She loved waking up naturally, she checked her clock. 8:15. The alarm would be going off in 5 minutes. She laughed softly at her fortune and turned it off. Shower, Dress and then? Today she was free, on standby for any mission that might come up. After getting ready and donning her peach coloured battle gear she decided to head off to the training centre.
***
"Quistis Trepe, could you please report to Headmaster Cid's office immediately?" Quistis finished off the grat she was drawing from with one flick of her 'Save the Queen' and set off towards the lift, a puzzled expression adorning her face.
What on earth could the headmaster want her for? People were usually only called to his office for punishment or promotion and she certainly wasn't expecting either.
Quistis got into the lift with a growing sense of unease and when the lift finally pinged, announcing her arrival at Cid's new office on the basement level, the feeling had become almost unbearable.
"Ah Quistis, glad you could come so promptly." Cid sat behind his desk, busily rearranging some papers. "Please take a seat. We have just received some intelligence from the newly installed type-F SeeD's in Esther. Here are the exact details" he said handing over a brown folder. "Read them in any spare time you have but I will tell you the basics just now. The president of Esther, a Laguna Loire - I believe you met him on your recent... 'Quest' He chose with a half smile after struggling for the correct word. "Loire has been in charge for approximately 18 years, dating back to the end of the sorceress war. Due to facts discovered on your adventure we know that he had a major part in defeating the sorceress and was offered the job of president. Despite most of Esthar being content with their leader the fact remains that Loire was never voted into his position effectively making him a dictator. Perhaps a very peaceful one... but some people will take any opportunity to gain power.
"In the Esthar army a secret faction has been created, their leader as of yet is unknown. It appears their ultimate aim is rebellion and they will most likely try and gain more support in the army and the rest of the city. Your mission is to go in undercover to Esthar and join the Estharian army. You will find out about anything you can about the organisation and their leader. Take any action necessary to prevent civil war."
"Sir, a few questions if I may?"
"Of course"
"Firstly, why not use a spy?"
"Type-F SeeDs may not be able to deal with some of the problems that may arise. Also there will be many different personnel involved in this mission, some type-F, some not."
"Secondly, the mission you described to me is vague, what do you actually want me to do?"
"Destroy the leader" She nodded, things were coming into focus.
"Lastly, and most importantly - aren't all members of the Army male?" Cid smiled.
"You have your first meeting with the doctor at 1400 hours."
***
Quistis looked into the mirror and gasped. A stranger stood in place of her reflection and he was regarding her with her own bemused azure eyes.
It had taken two days to complete the mask made from moulds of her own face. Such a short time for her to loose all recognition of herself. But she had to admit the face was handsome - blonde, choppy shoulder length hair framed her undoubtedly masculine face on which there was the first shadow of a beard. Her body had also been altered. Her breasts had been restricted and her slender body was concealed behind clothes with realistically made her look bulkier.
"Don't worry hun, you'll get used to it" The young 'doctor' reassured her. Although Quistis was unsure how the ladies job of giving people a new image gave her the title of doctor, there was no doubt of the girl's skill. And judging by her newly acquired handsome and rugged looking visage, the young lady certainly enjoyed her profession.
"How long will this last for?"
"Over a week but you should change it every night to be safe, the scalp wig can be a little uncomfortable to sleep in anyway."
"How do I change it?"
"Don't worry about that, someone will be assigned to you to help. I'm not sure about your mission but judging from your Estharian army uniform I'd be guessing they will be your bunkmate."
"I'd better go report. Thanks very much for all your help"
"Toodles!"
** *