Final Fantasy VIII
Whenever You Need Me
Disclaimer: List of things I own--my clothes, my brain, and my stuffed bunny. Hm, notice how Final Fantasy isn't in that list?
Author's Notes: (sobbing) I'm sorry! I didn't mean to put this off for so long! I really am sorry, I was busy with my other ficcies and even though that's not really an excuse, it did hold me back from updating. I wanted to finish "Never Goodbye" (CCS) before any other fic. I'm sorry, and I hope you enjoy this chapter! Oh, and everyone is a year older since the defeat of Ultimecia.
Chapter 12: The Test
Seifer awoke at approximately 0530 in the morning. The field test was today.
He sat in his bed, holding his head, taking deep, slow breaths. "Oh, Hyne…"
Then someone knocked on the door.
Seifer rose to his feet and went to open it. Quistis stood at the door, looking up at him. She wore her SeeD uniform, which was expected, but Seifer didn't expect to see her hair down, falling in soft, golden waves down her shoulders. That and she wasn't wearing her glasses. "I see you're up," she remarked. She studied him and added, "But not prepared. For Hyne's sake, Seifer, don't you know you should get dressed before answering the door?"
He looked down at himself. "Hey, I'm halfway decent," he retorted. "You've never seen black sweatpants or what?"
Quistis placed a hand over her mouth to suppress a smile. "Of course I've seen black sweatpants," she told him, "but I've honestly never thought I could cause you to…ahem."
Seifer's jade eyes widened, and he slammed the door in Quistis' face.
When he came out, he was fully dressed, holding his Hyperion in his left hand. "Tell anyone about that, Instructor," he growled, "and I swear…" He trailed off, leaving the threat unfinished. Quistis blinked and smiled at him. "Of course I won't say a thing, Seifer," she replied. "You think I'd want to ruin your badass reputation? None but the hottest girls are allowed to see that, right?"
Seifer just glared at her. "So what the hell do you want?" he demanded, as he followed her down the hall.
"Just thought you'd like to join me for breakfast. It'll help with your performance if you're not hungry."
"Since when did you become my nutritionist?"
She whirled around and pushed him against the wall. "Ever since I found out that this was your last chance," she answered hotly. "Look, you can screw up in this field test if you want, Seifer, but I'd like to at least see you try. And I'd like to know that I tried to help you. You wanna collapse because of dehydration out there, go ahead." She turned and began to walk away when Seifer pulled her back. She glared up at him defiantly. "What now?"
His green eyes searched her cool blue orbs. "…I'm sorry," he whispered.
Quistis blinked. "It…um, it's okay," she replied. "Sorry for blowing up at you."
He stepped away from her. "I'm just nervous," he said, looking away from her. "I mean…no second chances if I fail, you know?"
She nodded. "Yeah…yeah, I know."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Almasy, you'll be in--"
"--Squad B," Seifer finished, nodding. "I know, Instructor. I've been in the same goddamn squad since I was fifteen. Just tell me who my teammates are."
"Three people. Two girls and another guy. Alonia Everclear (yes, I used the renowned author's name, hopefully, she won't kill me), Thaven Graye, and Tamara Yien." Quistis glanced at Seifer and smiled. "Ooh, working with two girls, you must be in heaven, huh, Almasy?"
"Shut up," Seifer growled, as the three SeeD candidates in his squad joined him.
"Instructor Trepe, heard you were overseeing the entire field test," said one of the girls. She had long, dark-blonde hair that fell to her waist, and pale green eyes. She looked at Seifer, who simply stared back. She chuckled and said to Quistis, "Let me guess…you're watching out for the Garden delinquent behind me?"
"Not exactly, Alonia," Quistis replied calmly. "It's because of my credentials that Headmaster Cid--"
"I know, I know," Alonia interrupted. "Don't worry, I was just kidding, Quis. Keep your blood pressure down." She looked back at Seifer, this time with a smile and a wink. "Glad to be working with a gunblade master. Pleased to meet you, Almasy. I'm Alonia."
Seifer nodded. "What weapon are you an expert in?"
Alonia smirked. "Deadly charm."
"…Nice."
"Thank you." Alonia giggled. "No, actually, I'm a Katal artist."
"Can we get our minds back to the mission at hand, please?" Quistis asked. Alonia and Seifer looked back at the blonde Instructor. "Alonia, Seifer, meet your two other team members, Thaven Graye and Tamara Yien."
Thaven Graye was about an inch shorter than Seifer, with spiky black hair and silvery eyes. He nodded to Seifer, who was reminded strongly of Squall, but Thaven spoke and thoughts about his rival was pushed from Seifer's mind.
"Thaven. I guess you could call me a fan. I'm studying the gunblade because of you. It'll be my secondary weapon."
"What's your first?"
"These." Thaven flicked his wrists and two knives hidden from his long sleeves appeared in his hands. "Got them in my boots, too."
"You can stop showing off, Thaven darling," said the last member of Seifer's squad. Seifer shot her an appraising glance. Slender like Alonia, but also short, like Selphie Tilmitt. Her curly black hair was in high pigtails, and she had soft brown doe-eyes. She looked absolutely adorable, and completely harmless. Seifer raised his eyebrows at her. Tamara spied him and giggled.
"Like what you see, Mr. Almasy?" she asked, twirling around for his pleasure. "If you'd like to see more, we could--"
Quistis cleared her throat loudly. "Tamara?"
Tamara laughed. "Just kidding, Instructor!" She turned to Seifer with a grin. "SeeD candidate Tamaya Yien, student ID number 154042059, I'm the squad brain and gun expert!" It was just then that Seifer noticed the two holsters strapped to her legs. Tamara smiled. "I've been taught by Irvine Kinneas himself."
Seifer snorted. "Just as long as you don't try a cheap pickup line on me, I'm okay with you."
Tamara laughed. "Yes, alright, I gotcha, Mr. Almasy. You're our squad leader, after all."
Seifer shot Quistis a questioning glance. He was the squad leader…again?
The instructor smiled.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Here's the mission briefing," Quistis announced, handing Squad B file folders. "It seems that the communications tower in Dollet is overrun by a small rebel faction called Diablo's Child. They're expecting a million-gil ransom in exchange for the surrender of the communications tower. They--"
"What's the big deal with the communications tower?" Thaven suddenly cut in. "I mean, it's not working anymore, is it?"
"Don't interrupt, Thaven, you are such an ass sometimes!" Alonia hissed, hitting the dark-haired young man in the face with her folder. "Just listen to the briefing." Thaven glared at her and Alonia raised her eyebrows at him questioningly. "What, you wanna make something out of it, Graye?"
"Stop arguing, you two," Tamara said, her cheeriness dissolving into cool professionalism. "Let Quistis talk."
"Thank you," Quistis said to Tamara. Shooting the silent Seifer a swift glance, she continued, "The Dollet communications tower has recently been rebuilt with a grant from Galbadia president Jonatan Carraway, former Galbadian Army general. It's been recently used to establish communication with Esthar. The tower has amazing power, and Diablo's Child has hooked up a virus to the main computer. If their demands aren't met, they'll open a link to Esthar, and send the virus."
"And if that virus gets into all of Esthar's computers…" Seifer said quietly.
"…Esthar will be shut down completely. Esthar is completely dependent on technology, by sending the virus, Diablo's Child could take down the entire city. That's what we're trying to prevent." Quistis looked at the squad members. "We're going to infiltrate the communications tower and take down the rebel faction. The other squads are going to evacuate the city of civilians while your squad and another squad infiltrate the communications tower. No screw-ups, please, people's lives are at stake." She looked at Thaven. "And Mr. Graye, please, no shenanigans like in last time. I really didn't appreciate returning to Dollet in the last field test and digging you out beneath the remains of the Dollet bar."
Thaven reddened while Tamara snickered. "Dork," she muttered.
"Hey, shut up!"
"Make me!"
Thaven flicked a wrist, and a dagger appeared in his hand. At the same time, Tamara had pulled out a gun from her holster, and was pointing it at him. "Go ahead, Graye," she challenged. "See if you can throw that thing when I shoot out your eyes--"
"Enough!" Seifer barked. Thaven and Tamara looked at him questioningly. "Both of you, put your weapons down…now!" The two obeyed, Thaven sheathing his knife as Tamara holstered her gun. "I've had enough of this child's play. You two, stop arguing, or I'll make you."
"And Hyne knows he can," Quistis said quietly. "We're approaching Dollet, squad, I sincerely hope you're all ready and able to do this."
Seifer nodded to the instructor. No more games.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Alright, Squad B, you know your assignment. Be back within the hour to return to Balamb Garden!" Quistis announced.
"Alright, team, let's head out!" Seifer yelled, running in the direction of the communications tower. Thaven, Tamara, and Alonia followed, but were immediately blocked by a group of people from the rebel faction Diablo's Child.
"SeeDs must die!" one of them yelled, charging Seifer's squad.
"Yeah, that's a useful battle call," Thaven muttered.
"We're not even SeeDs yet!" Tamara exclaimed, pulling out her guns. Seifer looked to Alonia, who had blades strapped to her hands. She was looking at the rebels calmly, then in a swift slash, had traced a line of thin crimson down the chest of the one who had shouted.
"Shut up and fight," she said quietly, flicking her wrists and flinging droplets of blood off the blades. "Hyne, you're such cowards."
The wounded rebel stared at Alonia, stunned, then pulled out a gun and charging her. "DIE!!!"
Tamara laughed. "That's a long-range weapon, ya moron, why are you getting closer to her?!" She raised her gun, fired two shots, and the rebel was on the ground, screeching in pain. Seifer saw the two bullet wounds, one on his left hand and the other…Seifer winced. On the right thigh, unnaturally close to the crotch. Tamara giggled. "That ought to keep you down for a while," she remarked. Then her eyes hardened and she trained the two guns on the other rebels. "Now, if you keep blocking our way, I am going to get a terrible grade," she said coldly. "And I'm going to be very cranky. So kindly leave us alone?"
The rebels didn't listen. The three of them charged.
Shots rang out, and there was a sudden shout of, "SLEEP!"
The rebels dropped like flies, all wounded. Alonia sighed, shaking her head. "Violence is not going to solve anything, you three," she told her squad members. She was the one who had put the rebels to sleep. "Putting them to sleep is faster. Easier, too."
Thaven snorted. "But boring."
"Can you all stop fucking arguing?!" Seifer snapped. "Let's pass this test and go home."
"As you say, Commander Almasy!" Tamara chirped.
"Now let's go," Seifer said quietly.
Quistis is waiting…for me to make her dream come true. (Bunny: Wow, he never loses sight of his goal! How totally romantic!)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Quistis watched from the beach as the invasion of SeeD candidates began. She glanced at her wristwatch. "Forty-five minutes," she murmured. Fifteen minutes had already passed, and the young SeeD sincerely hoped that her squad was already inside the communications tower.
Her cell phone rang. She had been given the phone in case of an emergency, to contact Balamb Garden for SeeD backup, if anything went wrong with the field test. Thinking it to be Headmaster Cid, she pressed the "talk" button and held it to her ear. "Headmaster? Quistis Trepe here."
"…Quis." The voice was quiet, deep, male…and completely unfamiliar.
"H-hello?" Quistis asked, frowning. "Who is this?"
"You don't remember, do you, darling?"
"Irvine, if this is you, this isn't funny--"
"It's not Irvine. It's not the Commander, and it isn't the Headmaster either. Guess who, Quis?"
"W, what…? How did you get this number, it's classified--"
"You don't need to know that, Quis."
"Who the hell are you?!" Quistis demanded angrily, feeling fear for the very first time in a long time.
A soft chuckle. "A forgotten angel, my dear. From your distant past…I'm actually quite hurt that you don't remember me, we went through quite the hardship together…but I suppose when you're at the top, you don't notice much else."
The hand that held the cell phone shook slightly. "Whoever you are, what do you want?" Quistis asked softly.
"Well, at first I wanted your head, but I realized that was too cliché. So now I just want to destroy your life and everything you've worked for. And still kill you in the process. Still cliché, but not too much, wouldn't you agree?" Another quiet laugh.
"…You're insane."
"On the contrary, Quistis, I'm quite sane. What about you?"
Quistis had enough of the mind games. "Just tell me who in the fucking hell you are!" she demanded.
A pause. "I can't tell you that, darling. But with your amazing SeeD mind, I'm sure you'll figure it out soon. Oh, and by the way, about your squad…are you sure that it was alright to leave them with such an important assignment? They might end up getting hurt--"
She didn't waste another second. Throwing the phone aside, Quistis sprinted into Dollet, intent on finding her squad.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
At the top of the communications tower, a dark figure listened intently on a cell phone. "Of course I know what to do with her, sir," the shadowed figure said quietly. "I'll be waiting for Miss Trepe right here. You don't need to worry, I'll send her your greetings."
"Quistis is a resourceful woman. Don't do anything rash and hurt yourself."
"I never do, sir." Their free hand slid down to their hip and lightly touched a gun strapped there. "You've given me plenty of information on her that I practically know her attacks like the back of my hand." They whipped out their gun and twirled it expertly. "Hmf."
"Good. I knew I could count on you. I'll be waiting for you."
"Alright, sir. Over and out." They hung up and turned to a group of teens waiting for them. Silver-blue eyes studied the rebel faction Diablo's Child. "Don't let anyone get up here," they announced, knowing full-well that Quistis Trepe would easily dispose of the rebels. "If our demands aren't met by 1200 hours, I'll send the virus to Esthar's main computer. Now, get out of here, you worthless morons." The rebels scattered, and the figure smiled to herself.
"Come on, Quistis, I know you're coming…hurry up."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"What do you mean, we have to return to the shore?!" Thaven raged. "We haven't even reached the communications tower yet!" The black-haired boy swung around to a calm-looking Seifer. "Seifer, let's ditch this messenger and head over to the communications tower to finish our assignment."
"Hey, I'm not going to fail this field test!" the messenger from Squad A shouted. "You're going back, Squad B!"
"Fuck no!" Thaven shouted back. "Seifer, the only thing separating us from the tower is a cliff. Let's just jump it, kick some serious rebel ass, and we'll be back on the shore in fifteen minutes."
"…We're going back to the shore," Seifer said placidly.
Thaven looked stunned. "What…?!"
Tamara stood behind Seifer. "Are you sure, Seifer? Thaven has a point. We could subdue those rebels pretty easily. We have thirty minutes, we can use ten, fifteen tops to finish our assignment." She looked to the messenger from the other squad. "Thanks for telling us, but we'll go when we--"
Seifer shot her a look. "We're going back."
"Orders are orders," Alonia said. "Headmaster Cid said there were no rules, but I sure as hell ain't being left back here in Dollet. But…I suppose Thaven's used to it, right, Thaven?" She smirked at a seething Thaven.
"Shut up," Thaven spat. "Seifer, what the hell? Before, you used to do all kinds of daring shit--"
"Yeah, well, I'm not going to screw myself over again!" Seifer argued. "Graye, stay here and fail this field test, but this is my last fucking chance, and I'm not going to ruin it. You and Tamara stay, but Alonia and I are going to follow SeeD orders. I'm not taking any chances." He looked to Alonia. "Let's go, Everclear."
The golden-haired girl nodded. The messenger looked immensely relieved.
Tamara huffed. "Fine, I'm coming back with you three," she said. "I just wish we could've finished kicking those rebels out of that communications tower."
Thaven glared at the four of them, then turned and jumped the cliff.
"What the fuck…GRAYE!" Alonia shouted, watching as the dark-haired boy rolled down the cliff and stopped in a heap at the foot of the cliff. He staggered to his feet and looked up at them, breathing heavily. "What the hell do you think you're doing, you ass?!" Alonia demanded.
"Finishing this assignment, unlike you wussies!" Thaven then ran into the communications tower.
"Dammit, Graye!" Tamara said in exasperation. She readied herself to jump off the cliff when Seifer grabbed her arm. Tamara looked back questioningly at her squad leader. "Sir?"
"We're leaving him."
"W, what?" Tamara looked shocked. "Sir, Graye could seriously be injured--"
"This is a test, Yien," Seifer said quietly. "They'll send SeeDs for the stubborn bastards who fail to get back to the Garden. Let's go."
The four turned around and saw a rebel leering back at them. In his hand was what was unmistakably a grenade. Raising the grenade to his mouth the rebel bit down on the pin and wrenched it off. Seifer's mind went blank and reflexes acted. "Run!" he shouted to the other three squad members, pushing them down the road that wound around a mountain. Alonia, Tamara and the messenger dived towards the ground and Seifer followed. A moment later, there was the sound of an explosion. After a moment of silence, Seifer rose to his feet and walked back to where the rebel once stood, Hyperion at the ready. He relaxed when he saw the person standing near the charred remains of the rebel. "Instructor."
Quistis turned to look at him, relief spreading all over her delicate features. "Hyne, Seifer, you're alright!" she said softly, smiling at him. "Where's the rest of your squad? Are they okay?"
Alonia, Tamara and the messenger appeared. "We're fine, Quistis," Alonia said. "But Thaven--"
"Where's Graye?" Quistis suddenly asked.
"He went to the tower," Tamara volunteered. "He said he wanted to finish the assignment--"
"Dammit," Quistis muttered. "Graye…!" She looked to Seifer. "Almasy, get your squad back to the shore. I'm going after Graye."
"What? Instructor, Graye can take care of himself--" Seifer began.
"Just go, please, Seifer." Something in Quistis' voice left no room for argument. Seifer grit his teeth and nodded. Quistis smiled slightly and jumped off the cliff that Thaven had leapt off of only minutes ago. Then Seifer looked back at the remaining squad members. "The three of you, go back to the shore," he ordered.
"W, what?!" Alonia asked. "But, Seifer, Quis said--"
"I know what she said," Seifer said calmly. "So you three need to go back. I'm going after the Instructor."
Tamara bit her lip. "Seifer…be careful," she said quietly.
He nodded. "Alright, whatever, I'll be careful. Just go!"
The three nodded and ran off. Seifer looked back to the communications tower and jumped off the cliff.
Dammit, Instructor…why the hell did you go after Graye?!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Graye!" Quistis shouted, reaching the top of the communications tower. Thaven stood near the edge of the roof, swaying slightly. Quistis began to walk over to him, lowering her whip. "Graye…why did you disobey orders?" she demanded.
Thaven turned around, and Quistis gasped.
A dagger she recognized as Thaven's was embedded deep in the young man's chest. "I-Instructor Trepe," he choked out, coughing blood. "Get out…there's someone here, they'll get you, too--"
BANG!
Thaven jerked, and he fell to the ground. Quistis' eyes widened. "Graye!!" she screamed. She looked around for his killer and saw a shadowed figure standing near the satellite of the communications tower. She stepped back. "Who are you? Another rebel?" she asked.
The figure stepped out from the darkness. They wore a hooded cloak that hid their face, but Quistis didn't really notice that. What she noticed was the rifle they were holding. An Exeter, just like the rifle that Irvine Kinneas had. Very expensive, very rare…and very dangerous. Quistis knew better than to challenge someone with a long-range weapon of the Exeter's caliber. She shot Thaven a glance and something inside her wrenched. He was dead, and there was nothing she could do. She'd be dead, too, if she didn't get her ass moving. She took a step backwards, ready to use a Protect spell if needed.
Thaven's killer didn't give her the chance. The last thing Quistis saw was the glint of sunlight on the Exeter's barrel as Thaven's killer raised the gun.
BANG!
There was an intense pain in Quistis' chest, and she was dimly aware of someone yelling her name as she hit the ground.
"QUISTIS!!"
~Bunny's Corner~
seiferfetish: (wide-eyed) Oh, my gosh!
Kyrie: Quistis!!!
Bunny: (humming to herself)
Kyrie: Bunny!!! How could you do that?!?!
Bunny: Hm, what? Oh, the whole killing Quistis thing?
seiferfetish: AHHH! So you admit it?
Kyrie: That's it! I'm going to kill you! (jumps towards Bunny)
Bunny: I don't think so! ZELL!
Kyrie: Wha--? (falls to the floor painfully) OW!
Zell: (walks into the room eating, of all things, a hotdog) Yeah, Bun?
Bunny: Kyrie fell and hurt herself. Help her out, please?
Kyrie: (groans) Owwww…w, wha? Zell?! Helping ME?!
Zell: (swallows the rest of his hotdog) Hey, sure! (picks Kyrie up) You alright, Kyrie?
Kyrie: (intensely red) Omigosh, omigosh, omigosh!!! (thinks to herself) He's HOLDING me!!!
Zell: (extremely dense) Hey, Kyrie, you're all red. Got a fever?
seiferfetish: ~~ Zell's here, but not Seifer! Dangit, this is the last time I visit, Bunny!
Bunny: (blinks) Now, who said Seifer wasn't here, seiferfetish?
seiferfetish: Y-you mean…Seifer…!
Seifer: (walks in) Alright, chicken-wuss, that's the last time you take the last hotdog…(pulls out Hyperion)
Zell: Hey, shut up! (accidentally drops Kyrie)
Kyrie: (falls on her butt) OW! More pain!
Zell: (looks down at Kyrie) Oh…shit, sorry, Kyrie…(picks her up again, making her blush again)
seiferfetish: It's Seifer! Omigosh, it's Seifer!!!
Seifer: (blinks and looks to seiferfetish) Hi, there.
seiferfetish: Whoa! (sighs dreamily)
Kyrie: Zell! (sighs dreamily)
Seifer and Zell: (blinks)
Bunny: My, a lot of sighing in this Corner! (nudges Seifer and Zell and mutters) Hey, you two morons, don't you know they think you're both hot?
Seifer and Zell: (blushes)
Bunny: (takes a picture with a Polaroid) Okay, the blushing bishounen pic is going up on my wall.
Seifer: WHAT?!?!?! Haven't you embarrassed me enough?!
Bunny: (smiles) Oh, you mean the videos?
Seifer: (groans) Damned videos…
Bunny: I'll destroy the two tapes if you do something for me! ^~
Seifer: (backs away) Uh…I don't have to…KILL anyone, do I?
Bunny: (frowns) Oh, Hyne, no! Just go out on a date with one of the Seiftis authors!
Seifer: HUH? (frowns) Well, that's okay…I guess…I'll go out on a date with her. (points to seiferfetish)
seiferfetish: WHAT?!?!?! (sways and faints)
Bunny: ACK! seiferfetish, are you alright?!
Seifer: Ah, let her sleep. I'll take her out later. (walks back to the food table)
Zell: (looks at Seifer) Damn. Seifer on a date? That's like…is the world ending or something?
Bunny: Oh, come on…! (smirks) He's much braver than YOU, Zell.
Zell: S-say what?!
Bunny: At least he took my dare. You…(smiles) you probably won't even give Kyrie a kiss, let alone take her out.
Kyrie: WHAT?!?!?!
Zell: (fuming) I'll show you, Bun! (grabs Kyrie and kisses her) HAH! Take that!
Kyrie: (sways and faints)
Zell: Err…(blushes)
Bunny: (wide-eyed) …Wow. I never expected THAT to happen. (shrugs) Oh, well, I'll just go back home and watch some home videos.
Seifer: (reappears) NOT THOSE HOME VIDEOS!!!
Bunny: OHOHOHO!!!
Zell: Um, Bun, what about Kyrie and seiferfetish?
Bunny: Huh? Oh, let them sleep. They'll wake up…sooner or later. Hey, maybe you can kiss them awake!
Seifer and Zell: Uhhhh…(blushes)
Bunny: (takes their picture) Well, here's another pic going up on my wall.
Seifer and Zell: BUNNY!!!!
Bunny: ^o^ OHOHOHOHO!!!! Hey, readers, don't forget to review! And if any of y'all other Seiftis authors wanna date with any of the other FF8 characters (mainly Seifer), tell me in your reviews! Until my next chapter, ppl, bye!
Whenever You Need Me
Disclaimer: List of things I own--my clothes, my brain, and my stuffed bunny. Hm, notice how Final Fantasy isn't in that list?
Author's Notes: (sobbing) I'm sorry! I didn't mean to put this off for so long! I really am sorry, I was busy with my other ficcies and even though that's not really an excuse, it did hold me back from updating. I wanted to finish "Never Goodbye" (CCS) before any other fic. I'm sorry, and I hope you enjoy this chapter! Oh, and everyone is a year older since the defeat of Ultimecia.
Chapter 12: The Test
Seifer awoke at approximately 0530 in the morning. The field test was today.
He sat in his bed, holding his head, taking deep, slow breaths. "Oh, Hyne…"
Then someone knocked on the door.
Seifer rose to his feet and went to open it. Quistis stood at the door, looking up at him. She wore her SeeD uniform, which was expected, but Seifer didn't expect to see her hair down, falling in soft, golden waves down her shoulders. That and she wasn't wearing her glasses. "I see you're up," she remarked. She studied him and added, "But not prepared. For Hyne's sake, Seifer, don't you know you should get dressed before answering the door?"
He looked down at himself. "Hey, I'm halfway decent," he retorted. "You've never seen black sweatpants or what?"
Quistis placed a hand over her mouth to suppress a smile. "Of course I've seen black sweatpants," she told him, "but I've honestly never thought I could cause you to…ahem."
Seifer's jade eyes widened, and he slammed the door in Quistis' face.
When he came out, he was fully dressed, holding his Hyperion in his left hand. "Tell anyone about that, Instructor," he growled, "and I swear…" He trailed off, leaving the threat unfinished. Quistis blinked and smiled at him. "Of course I won't say a thing, Seifer," she replied. "You think I'd want to ruin your badass reputation? None but the hottest girls are allowed to see that, right?"
Seifer just glared at her. "So what the hell do you want?" he demanded, as he followed her down the hall.
"Just thought you'd like to join me for breakfast. It'll help with your performance if you're not hungry."
"Since when did you become my nutritionist?"
She whirled around and pushed him against the wall. "Ever since I found out that this was your last chance," she answered hotly. "Look, you can screw up in this field test if you want, Seifer, but I'd like to at least see you try. And I'd like to know that I tried to help you. You wanna collapse because of dehydration out there, go ahead." She turned and began to walk away when Seifer pulled her back. She glared up at him defiantly. "What now?"
His green eyes searched her cool blue orbs. "…I'm sorry," he whispered.
Quistis blinked. "It…um, it's okay," she replied. "Sorry for blowing up at you."
He stepped away from her. "I'm just nervous," he said, looking away from her. "I mean…no second chances if I fail, you know?"
She nodded. "Yeah…yeah, I know."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Almasy, you'll be in--"
"--Squad B," Seifer finished, nodding. "I know, Instructor. I've been in the same goddamn squad since I was fifteen. Just tell me who my teammates are."
"Three people. Two girls and another guy. Alonia Everclear (yes, I used the renowned author's name, hopefully, she won't kill me), Thaven Graye, and Tamara Yien." Quistis glanced at Seifer and smiled. "Ooh, working with two girls, you must be in heaven, huh, Almasy?"
"Shut up," Seifer growled, as the three SeeD candidates in his squad joined him.
"Instructor Trepe, heard you were overseeing the entire field test," said one of the girls. She had long, dark-blonde hair that fell to her waist, and pale green eyes. She looked at Seifer, who simply stared back. She chuckled and said to Quistis, "Let me guess…you're watching out for the Garden delinquent behind me?"
"Not exactly, Alonia," Quistis replied calmly. "It's because of my credentials that Headmaster Cid--"
"I know, I know," Alonia interrupted. "Don't worry, I was just kidding, Quis. Keep your blood pressure down." She looked back at Seifer, this time with a smile and a wink. "Glad to be working with a gunblade master. Pleased to meet you, Almasy. I'm Alonia."
Seifer nodded. "What weapon are you an expert in?"
Alonia smirked. "Deadly charm."
"…Nice."
"Thank you." Alonia giggled. "No, actually, I'm a Katal artist."
"Can we get our minds back to the mission at hand, please?" Quistis asked. Alonia and Seifer looked back at the blonde Instructor. "Alonia, Seifer, meet your two other team members, Thaven Graye and Tamara Yien."
Thaven Graye was about an inch shorter than Seifer, with spiky black hair and silvery eyes. He nodded to Seifer, who was reminded strongly of Squall, but Thaven spoke and thoughts about his rival was pushed from Seifer's mind.
"Thaven. I guess you could call me a fan. I'm studying the gunblade because of you. It'll be my secondary weapon."
"What's your first?"
"These." Thaven flicked his wrists and two knives hidden from his long sleeves appeared in his hands. "Got them in my boots, too."
"You can stop showing off, Thaven darling," said the last member of Seifer's squad. Seifer shot her an appraising glance. Slender like Alonia, but also short, like Selphie Tilmitt. Her curly black hair was in high pigtails, and she had soft brown doe-eyes. She looked absolutely adorable, and completely harmless. Seifer raised his eyebrows at her. Tamara spied him and giggled.
"Like what you see, Mr. Almasy?" she asked, twirling around for his pleasure. "If you'd like to see more, we could--"
Quistis cleared her throat loudly. "Tamara?"
Tamara laughed. "Just kidding, Instructor!" She turned to Seifer with a grin. "SeeD candidate Tamaya Yien, student ID number 154042059, I'm the squad brain and gun expert!" It was just then that Seifer noticed the two holsters strapped to her legs. Tamara smiled. "I've been taught by Irvine Kinneas himself."
Seifer snorted. "Just as long as you don't try a cheap pickup line on me, I'm okay with you."
Tamara laughed. "Yes, alright, I gotcha, Mr. Almasy. You're our squad leader, after all."
Seifer shot Quistis a questioning glance. He was the squad leader…again?
The instructor smiled.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Here's the mission briefing," Quistis announced, handing Squad B file folders. "It seems that the communications tower in Dollet is overrun by a small rebel faction called Diablo's Child. They're expecting a million-gil ransom in exchange for the surrender of the communications tower. They--"
"What's the big deal with the communications tower?" Thaven suddenly cut in. "I mean, it's not working anymore, is it?"
"Don't interrupt, Thaven, you are such an ass sometimes!" Alonia hissed, hitting the dark-haired young man in the face with her folder. "Just listen to the briefing." Thaven glared at her and Alonia raised her eyebrows at him questioningly. "What, you wanna make something out of it, Graye?"
"Stop arguing, you two," Tamara said, her cheeriness dissolving into cool professionalism. "Let Quistis talk."
"Thank you," Quistis said to Tamara. Shooting the silent Seifer a swift glance, she continued, "The Dollet communications tower has recently been rebuilt with a grant from Galbadia president Jonatan Carraway, former Galbadian Army general. It's been recently used to establish communication with Esthar. The tower has amazing power, and Diablo's Child has hooked up a virus to the main computer. If their demands aren't met, they'll open a link to Esthar, and send the virus."
"And if that virus gets into all of Esthar's computers…" Seifer said quietly.
"…Esthar will be shut down completely. Esthar is completely dependent on technology, by sending the virus, Diablo's Child could take down the entire city. That's what we're trying to prevent." Quistis looked at the squad members. "We're going to infiltrate the communications tower and take down the rebel faction. The other squads are going to evacuate the city of civilians while your squad and another squad infiltrate the communications tower. No screw-ups, please, people's lives are at stake." She looked at Thaven. "And Mr. Graye, please, no shenanigans like in last time. I really didn't appreciate returning to Dollet in the last field test and digging you out beneath the remains of the Dollet bar."
Thaven reddened while Tamara snickered. "Dork," she muttered.
"Hey, shut up!"
"Make me!"
Thaven flicked a wrist, and a dagger appeared in his hand. At the same time, Tamara had pulled out a gun from her holster, and was pointing it at him. "Go ahead, Graye," she challenged. "See if you can throw that thing when I shoot out your eyes--"
"Enough!" Seifer barked. Thaven and Tamara looked at him questioningly. "Both of you, put your weapons down…now!" The two obeyed, Thaven sheathing his knife as Tamara holstered her gun. "I've had enough of this child's play. You two, stop arguing, or I'll make you."
"And Hyne knows he can," Quistis said quietly. "We're approaching Dollet, squad, I sincerely hope you're all ready and able to do this."
Seifer nodded to the instructor. No more games.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Alright, Squad B, you know your assignment. Be back within the hour to return to Balamb Garden!" Quistis announced.
"Alright, team, let's head out!" Seifer yelled, running in the direction of the communications tower. Thaven, Tamara, and Alonia followed, but were immediately blocked by a group of people from the rebel faction Diablo's Child.
"SeeDs must die!" one of them yelled, charging Seifer's squad.
"Yeah, that's a useful battle call," Thaven muttered.
"We're not even SeeDs yet!" Tamara exclaimed, pulling out her guns. Seifer looked to Alonia, who had blades strapped to her hands. She was looking at the rebels calmly, then in a swift slash, had traced a line of thin crimson down the chest of the one who had shouted.
"Shut up and fight," she said quietly, flicking her wrists and flinging droplets of blood off the blades. "Hyne, you're such cowards."
The wounded rebel stared at Alonia, stunned, then pulled out a gun and charging her. "DIE!!!"
Tamara laughed. "That's a long-range weapon, ya moron, why are you getting closer to her?!" She raised her gun, fired two shots, and the rebel was on the ground, screeching in pain. Seifer saw the two bullet wounds, one on his left hand and the other…Seifer winced. On the right thigh, unnaturally close to the crotch. Tamara giggled. "That ought to keep you down for a while," she remarked. Then her eyes hardened and she trained the two guns on the other rebels. "Now, if you keep blocking our way, I am going to get a terrible grade," she said coldly. "And I'm going to be very cranky. So kindly leave us alone?"
The rebels didn't listen. The three of them charged.
Shots rang out, and there was a sudden shout of, "SLEEP!"
The rebels dropped like flies, all wounded. Alonia sighed, shaking her head. "Violence is not going to solve anything, you three," she told her squad members. She was the one who had put the rebels to sleep. "Putting them to sleep is faster. Easier, too."
Thaven snorted. "But boring."
"Can you all stop fucking arguing?!" Seifer snapped. "Let's pass this test and go home."
"As you say, Commander Almasy!" Tamara chirped.
"Now let's go," Seifer said quietly.
Quistis is waiting…for me to make her dream come true. (Bunny: Wow, he never loses sight of his goal! How totally romantic!)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Quistis watched from the beach as the invasion of SeeD candidates began. She glanced at her wristwatch. "Forty-five minutes," she murmured. Fifteen minutes had already passed, and the young SeeD sincerely hoped that her squad was already inside the communications tower.
Her cell phone rang. She had been given the phone in case of an emergency, to contact Balamb Garden for SeeD backup, if anything went wrong with the field test. Thinking it to be Headmaster Cid, she pressed the "talk" button and held it to her ear. "Headmaster? Quistis Trepe here."
"…Quis." The voice was quiet, deep, male…and completely unfamiliar.
"H-hello?" Quistis asked, frowning. "Who is this?"
"You don't remember, do you, darling?"
"Irvine, if this is you, this isn't funny--"
"It's not Irvine. It's not the Commander, and it isn't the Headmaster either. Guess who, Quis?"
"W, what…? How did you get this number, it's classified--"
"You don't need to know that, Quis."
"Who the hell are you?!" Quistis demanded angrily, feeling fear for the very first time in a long time.
A soft chuckle. "A forgotten angel, my dear. From your distant past…I'm actually quite hurt that you don't remember me, we went through quite the hardship together…but I suppose when you're at the top, you don't notice much else."
The hand that held the cell phone shook slightly. "Whoever you are, what do you want?" Quistis asked softly.
"Well, at first I wanted your head, but I realized that was too cliché. So now I just want to destroy your life and everything you've worked for. And still kill you in the process. Still cliché, but not too much, wouldn't you agree?" Another quiet laugh.
"…You're insane."
"On the contrary, Quistis, I'm quite sane. What about you?"
Quistis had enough of the mind games. "Just tell me who in the fucking hell you are!" she demanded.
A pause. "I can't tell you that, darling. But with your amazing SeeD mind, I'm sure you'll figure it out soon. Oh, and by the way, about your squad…are you sure that it was alright to leave them with such an important assignment? They might end up getting hurt--"
She didn't waste another second. Throwing the phone aside, Quistis sprinted into Dollet, intent on finding her squad.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
At the top of the communications tower, a dark figure listened intently on a cell phone. "Of course I know what to do with her, sir," the shadowed figure said quietly. "I'll be waiting for Miss Trepe right here. You don't need to worry, I'll send her your greetings."
"Quistis is a resourceful woman. Don't do anything rash and hurt yourself."
"I never do, sir." Their free hand slid down to their hip and lightly touched a gun strapped there. "You've given me plenty of information on her that I practically know her attacks like the back of my hand." They whipped out their gun and twirled it expertly. "Hmf."
"Good. I knew I could count on you. I'll be waiting for you."
"Alright, sir. Over and out." They hung up and turned to a group of teens waiting for them. Silver-blue eyes studied the rebel faction Diablo's Child. "Don't let anyone get up here," they announced, knowing full-well that Quistis Trepe would easily dispose of the rebels. "If our demands aren't met by 1200 hours, I'll send the virus to Esthar's main computer. Now, get out of here, you worthless morons." The rebels scattered, and the figure smiled to herself.
"Come on, Quistis, I know you're coming…hurry up."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"What do you mean, we have to return to the shore?!" Thaven raged. "We haven't even reached the communications tower yet!" The black-haired boy swung around to a calm-looking Seifer. "Seifer, let's ditch this messenger and head over to the communications tower to finish our assignment."
"Hey, I'm not going to fail this field test!" the messenger from Squad A shouted. "You're going back, Squad B!"
"Fuck no!" Thaven shouted back. "Seifer, the only thing separating us from the tower is a cliff. Let's just jump it, kick some serious rebel ass, and we'll be back on the shore in fifteen minutes."
"…We're going back to the shore," Seifer said placidly.
Thaven looked stunned. "What…?!"
Tamara stood behind Seifer. "Are you sure, Seifer? Thaven has a point. We could subdue those rebels pretty easily. We have thirty minutes, we can use ten, fifteen tops to finish our assignment." She looked to the messenger from the other squad. "Thanks for telling us, but we'll go when we--"
Seifer shot her a look. "We're going back."
"Orders are orders," Alonia said. "Headmaster Cid said there were no rules, but I sure as hell ain't being left back here in Dollet. But…I suppose Thaven's used to it, right, Thaven?" She smirked at a seething Thaven.
"Shut up," Thaven spat. "Seifer, what the hell? Before, you used to do all kinds of daring shit--"
"Yeah, well, I'm not going to screw myself over again!" Seifer argued. "Graye, stay here and fail this field test, but this is my last fucking chance, and I'm not going to ruin it. You and Tamara stay, but Alonia and I are going to follow SeeD orders. I'm not taking any chances." He looked to Alonia. "Let's go, Everclear."
The golden-haired girl nodded. The messenger looked immensely relieved.
Tamara huffed. "Fine, I'm coming back with you three," she said. "I just wish we could've finished kicking those rebels out of that communications tower."
Thaven glared at the four of them, then turned and jumped the cliff.
"What the fuck…GRAYE!" Alonia shouted, watching as the dark-haired boy rolled down the cliff and stopped in a heap at the foot of the cliff. He staggered to his feet and looked up at them, breathing heavily. "What the hell do you think you're doing, you ass?!" Alonia demanded.
"Finishing this assignment, unlike you wussies!" Thaven then ran into the communications tower.
"Dammit, Graye!" Tamara said in exasperation. She readied herself to jump off the cliff when Seifer grabbed her arm. Tamara looked back questioningly at her squad leader. "Sir?"
"We're leaving him."
"W, what?" Tamara looked shocked. "Sir, Graye could seriously be injured--"
"This is a test, Yien," Seifer said quietly. "They'll send SeeDs for the stubborn bastards who fail to get back to the Garden. Let's go."
The four turned around and saw a rebel leering back at them. In his hand was what was unmistakably a grenade. Raising the grenade to his mouth the rebel bit down on the pin and wrenched it off. Seifer's mind went blank and reflexes acted. "Run!" he shouted to the other three squad members, pushing them down the road that wound around a mountain. Alonia, Tamara and the messenger dived towards the ground and Seifer followed. A moment later, there was the sound of an explosion. After a moment of silence, Seifer rose to his feet and walked back to where the rebel once stood, Hyperion at the ready. He relaxed when he saw the person standing near the charred remains of the rebel. "Instructor."
Quistis turned to look at him, relief spreading all over her delicate features. "Hyne, Seifer, you're alright!" she said softly, smiling at him. "Where's the rest of your squad? Are they okay?"
Alonia, Tamara and the messenger appeared. "We're fine, Quistis," Alonia said. "But Thaven--"
"Where's Graye?" Quistis suddenly asked.
"He went to the tower," Tamara volunteered. "He said he wanted to finish the assignment--"
"Dammit," Quistis muttered. "Graye…!" She looked to Seifer. "Almasy, get your squad back to the shore. I'm going after Graye."
"What? Instructor, Graye can take care of himself--" Seifer began.
"Just go, please, Seifer." Something in Quistis' voice left no room for argument. Seifer grit his teeth and nodded. Quistis smiled slightly and jumped off the cliff that Thaven had leapt off of only minutes ago. Then Seifer looked back at the remaining squad members. "The three of you, go back to the shore," he ordered.
"W, what?!" Alonia asked. "But, Seifer, Quis said--"
"I know what she said," Seifer said calmly. "So you three need to go back. I'm going after the Instructor."
Tamara bit her lip. "Seifer…be careful," she said quietly.
He nodded. "Alright, whatever, I'll be careful. Just go!"
The three nodded and ran off. Seifer looked back to the communications tower and jumped off the cliff.
Dammit, Instructor…why the hell did you go after Graye?!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Graye!" Quistis shouted, reaching the top of the communications tower. Thaven stood near the edge of the roof, swaying slightly. Quistis began to walk over to him, lowering her whip. "Graye…why did you disobey orders?" she demanded.
Thaven turned around, and Quistis gasped.
A dagger she recognized as Thaven's was embedded deep in the young man's chest. "I-Instructor Trepe," he choked out, coughing blood. "Get out…there's someone here, they'll get you, too--"
BANG!
Thaven jerked, and he fell to the ground. Quistis' eyes widened. "Graye!!" she screamed. She looked around for his killer and saw a shadowed figure standing near the satellite of the communications tower. She stepped back. "Who are you? Another rebel?" she asked.
The figure stepped out from the darkness. They wore a hooded cloak that hid their face, but Quistis didn't really notice that. What she noticed was the rifle they were holding. An Exeter, just like the rifle that Irvine Kinneas had. Very expensive, very rare…and very dangerous. Quistis knew better than to challenge someone with a long-range weapon of the Exeter's caliber. She shot Thaven a glance and something inside her wrenched. He was dead, and there was nothing she could do. She'd be dead, too, if she didn't get her ass moving. She took a step backwards, ready to use a Protect spell if needed.
Thaven's killer didn't give her the chance. The last thing Quistis saw was the glint of sunlight on the Exeter's barrel as Thaven's killer raised the gun.
BANG!
There was an intense pain in Quistis' chest, and she was dimly aware of someone yelling her name as she hit the ground.
"QUISTIS!!"
~Bunny's Corner~
seiferfetish: (wide-eyed) Oh, my gosh!
Kyrie: Quistis!!!
Bunny: (humming to herself)
Kyrie: Bunny!!! How could you do that?!?!
Bunny: Hm, what? Oh, the whole killing Quistis thing?
seiferfetish: AHHH! So you admit it?
Kyrie: That's it! I'm going to kill you! (jumps towards Bunny)
Bunny: I don't think so! ZELL!
Kyrie: Wha--? (falls to the floor painfully) OW!
Zell: (walks into the room eating, of all things, a hotdog) Yeah, Bun?
Bunny: Kyrie fell and hurt herself. Help her out, please?
Kyrie: (groans) Owwww…w, wha? Zell?! Helping ME?!
Zell: (swallows the rest of his hotdog) Hey, sure! (picks Kyrie up) You alright, Kyrie?
Kyrie: (intensely red) Omigosh, omigosh, omigosh!!! (thinks to herself) He's HOLDING me!!!
Zell: (extremely dense) Hey, Kyrie, you're all red. Got a fever?
seiferfetish: ~~ Zell's here, but not Seifer! Dangit, this is the last time I visit, Bunny!
Bunny: (blinks) Now, who said Seifer wasn't here, seiferfetish?
seiferfetish: Y-you mean…Seifer…!
Seifer: (walks in) Alright, chicken-wuss, that's the last time you take the last hotdog…(pulls out Hyperion)
Zell: Hey, shut up! (accidentally drops Kyrie)
Kyrie: (falls on her butt) OW! More pain!
Zell: (looks down at Kyrie) Oh…shit, sorry, Kyrie…(picks her up again, making her blush again)
seiferfetish: It's Seifer! Omigosh, it's Seifer!!!
Seifer: (blinks and looks to seiferfetish) Hi, there.
seiferfetish: Whoa! (sighs dreamily)
Kyrie: Zell! (sighs dreamily)
Seifer and Zell: (blinks)
Bunny: My, a lot of sighing in this Corner! (nudges Seifer and Zell and mutters) Hey, you two morons, don't you know they think you're both hot?
Seifer and Zell: (blushes)
Bunny: (takes a picture with a Polaroid) Okay, the blushing bishounen pic is going up on my wall.
Seifer: WHAT?!?!?! Haven't you embarrassed me enough?!
Bunny: (smiles) Oh, you mean the videos?
Seifer: (groans) Damned videos…
Bunny: I'll destroy the two tapes if you do something for me! ^~
Seifer: (backs away) Uh…I don't have to…KILL anyone, do I?
Bunny: (frowns) Oh, Hyne, no! Just go out on a date with one of the Seiftis authors!
Seifer: HUH? (frowns) Well, that's okay…I guess…I'll go out on a date with her. (points to seiferfetish)
seiferfetish: WHAT?!?!?! (sways and faints)
Bunny: ACK! seiferfetish, are you alright?!
Seifer: Ah, let her sleep. I'll take her out later. (walks back to the food table)
Zell: (looks at Seifer) Damn. Seifer on a date? That's like…is the world ending or something?
Bunny: Oh, come on…! (smirks) He's much braver than YOU, Zell.
Zell: S-say what?!
Bunny: At least he took my dare. You…(smiles) you probably won't even give Kyrie a kiss, let alone take her out.
Kyrie: WHAT?!?!?!
Zell: (fuming) I'll show you, Bun! (grabs Kyrie and kisses her) HAH! Take that!
Kyrie: (sways and faints)
Zell: Err…(blushes)
Bunny: (wide-eyed) …Wow. I never expected THAT to happen. (shrugs) Oh, well, I'll just go back home and watch some home videos.
Seifer: (reappears) NOT THOSE HOME VIDEOS!!!
Bunny: OHOHOHO!!!
Zell: Um, Bun, what about Kyrie and seiferfetish?
Bunny: Huh? Oh, let them sleep. They'll wake up…sooner or later. Hey, maybe you can kiss them awake!
Seifer and Zell: Uhhhh…(blushes)
Bunny: (takes their picture) Well, here's another pic going up on my wall.
Seifer and Zell: BUNNY!!!!
Bunny: ^o^ OHOHOHOHO!!!! Hey, readers, don't forget to review! And if any of y'all other Seiftis authors wanna date with any of the other FF8 characters (mainly Seifer), tell me in your reviews! Until my next chapter, ppl, bye!