Final Fantasy VIII: Heavenly Scent
C h a p t e r T w o : G a r d e n E v o l u t i o n
6:14 pm
After a long transcontinental journey, Tsushima Masaki was greeted by a cool breeze wafting from the ocean. He could hear the waves crashing against the beach side. He took a deep breath, inhaling the cool air of Balamb. He stepped off the train with two large suitcases, dragging them behind him. His first task would be to find a taxi. However, he indulged in watching the cool sunset for only a moment.
The scenery was calming and very comfy. No wonder it was a tourist attraction. It took only a short time to find a car dealership, but trying to get someone to taxi him to Balamb Garden to some doing. Eventually, a kind couple offered him a ride in their car, saying that it was on their way.
Balamb Garden
Another breathtaking sight. Balamb Garden had a calming organic and natural feel to it. Galbadia Garden evoked an urban emotion, and Esthar... well like everything in Esthar, that Garden was technological. Fountains and soothing music floated through the air. He could get used to this.
His first task now would be to find the headmaster, and inform him of his arrival. He spotted two girls chatting near what seemed to be a large directory. Carrying all of his luggage, he approached the two uniformed girls. "Pardon me ladies, but would you mind telling me where I can find the headmaster?" he requested politely.
The two girls giggled to each other, then answered the man. "Just take that elevator to the third floor." one of them answered in a sweet voice.
Tsushima thanked them and went on his way. Unbeknownst to him, their topic shifted to him when he was far enough away. "Wow... he's so hot!" exclaimed one girl.
Masaki settled before the elevator, and hit a button on the panel. This Garden wasn't as busy as Esthar's. Everyone was calm and comfortable, not always in a rush. The lift opened, and a dark-haired woman stepped out. Tsushima had his mind somewhere else, but came back to himself as he heard a ding. Snapping out of his reverie, he entered the lift, and punched the button corresponding to the third floor.
The woman who had just exited the elevator walked happily towards the Dormitory, getting ready for her date. Most of the Garden Cadets and SeeDs travelled to the Cafeteria to nourish themselves with a hot supper. Instructor Quistis Trepe returned from a grueling day. Teaching the basics of battling monsters could wear anyone one out, and she found she had to gnaw her nails to keep herself from screaming. There was word floating around that the headmaster was seeking out people willing to teach. That would make her job easier, as class sizes would shrink considerably. There were only three active instructors currently, and with the growing number of cadets, expansion to this Garden was necessary.
"I think I'll head to town for supper." she said to herself, walking towards her dormitory.
Many people waved and greeted her as she passed by them, reminding herself of her perpetual popularity.
Level 3, Headmaster's Office
"I don't understand. I was told that this Garden was looking for a guardian for the sorceress." Masaki explained, sitting across from the headmaster.
Cid frowned "It seems like Esthar Garden only broadcasted the 'appealing' part. Protecting the sorceress is but a secondary assignment."
Tsushima nodded, slightly miffed at the duplicity of Esthar Garden. "Pardon me for asking sir, but why is Garden harbouring a sorceress, isn't SeeDs purpose to destroy them?"
The headmaster got out of his chair and gazed out the window. The office had been remodelled since Post-Time Compression. There was still a lift to the control bridge, but the Cid's office has refurnished and put back into operation. Cid ran a hand through is greying hair, then finally spoke. "My wife was the Sorceress Edea. She knew that a time would come when she might be influenced by another sorceress and be forced to do acts of evil. Garden and SeeD were both her ideas. Garden trains SeeDs to exterminate dangerous and evil sorceresses, and only dangerous and evil ones.
"Not all sorceresses are dangerous or evil. After my wife regained control of herself, she was no longer evil nor dangerous. In fact, she helped bring about the end to Time Compression."
Tsushima listened to his case, understanding what the headmaster was saying. "So this sorceress you have under your care is also not dangerous or evil?"
The headmaster turned to face the visitor. "The sorceress under our care played a key role and was essential to stopping Time Compression," Cid answered "and ever since Adel, sorceresses have been discriminated against, and I don't think ours will be much of an exception."
"So that's why you need someone like me." Masaki concluded.
The evening light shone with a comforting glow through the windows. "Well, actually, we need someone like you because our cadets have the intelligence, but they don't know much about fighting."
Tsushima's eyebrows furrowed. "Don't you have experienced fighters for those positions." he more stated than asked.
Cid chuckled softly and then sat back down in his seat, then leaned forward as if he was going to tell him some big secret. "We're thinking of expanding Garden. I have an idea of leaving this one mobile, and constructing a new stationary Balamb Garden right here. Trabia and Galbadia may follow our example. We're getting most of our funding from the Shumi Village. The engineers at Fishermans Horizon will do a lot of the building if this goes through. I want to expand this place into something more than just a military academy. Maybe more of a school. But not one of those damn private schools where only the rich get in, but for everyone."
"So this mobile Garden will serve what purpose?"
"This Garden will be for the cadets. People interested in being SeeDs and protecting the world. The new one will be more of a normal school. That's my dream... and you're the only one who knows the whole story." Cid added, smiling.
"Well sir... the main purpose of the job isn't what I expected, so you'll have to forgive me in saying that I'll have to take a while to think about the offer."
"Very well, but we've provided you a dormitory room," Cid explained, handing Tsushima a keycard. "we'll talk more tomorrow, but I think it would be good to get acquainted with Rinoa."
Tsushima gave the headmaster a confused look. "Heh heh, she doesn't like to be called a sorceress." he clarified.
"I'll consider it Mr. Kramer. Thank you for your kindness."
Inside Tsushima Masaki's mind, this was a good way to become productive and useful again. But teaching? He didn't like kids much; the patience required wasn't there. But he no had a promising future ahead of him once again. He just hoped this time that he wouldn't get framed.
C h a p t e r T w o : G a r d e n E v o l u t i o n
6:14 pm
After a long transcontinental journey, Tsushima Masaki was greeted by a cool breeze wafting from the ocean. He could hear the waves crashing against the beach side. He took a deep breath, inhaling the cool air of Balamb. He stepped off the train with two large suitcases, dragging them behind him. His first task would be to find a taxi. However, he indulged in watching the cool sunset for only a moment.
The scenery was calming and very comfy. No wonder it was a tourist attraction. It took only a short time to find a car dealership, but trying to get someone to taxi him to Balamb Garden to some doing. Eventually, a kind couple offered him a ride in their car, saying that it was on their way.
Balamb Garden
Another breathtaking sight. Balamb Garden had a calming organic and natural feel to it. Galbadia Garden evoked an urban emotion, and Esthar... well like everything in Esthar, that Garden was technological. Fountains and soothing music floated through the air. He could get used to this.
His first task now would be to find the headmaster, and inform him of his arrival. He spotted two girls chatting near what seemed to be a large directory. Carrying all of his luggage, he approached the two uniformed girls. "Pardon me ladies, but would you mind telling me where I can find the headmaster?" he requested politely.
The two girls giggled to each other, then answered the man. "Just take that elevator to the third floor." one of them answered in a sweet voice.
Tsushima thanked them and went on his way. Unbeknownst to him, their topic shifted to him when he was far enough away. "Wow... he's so hot!" exclaimed one girl.
Masaki settled before the elevator, and hit a button on the panel. This Garden wasn't as busy as Esthar's. Everyone was calm and comfortable, not always in a rush. The lift opened, and a dark-haired woman stepped out. Tsushima had his mind somewhere else, but came back to himself as he heard a ding. Snapping out of his reverie, he entered the lift, and punched the button corresponding to the third floor.
The woman who had just exited the elevator walked happily towards the Dormitory, getting ready for her date. Most of the Garden Cadets and SeeDs travelled to the Cafeteria to nourish themselves with a hot supper. Instructor Quistis Trepe returned from a grueling day. Teaching the basics of battling monsters could wear anyone one out, and she found she had to gnaw her nails to keep herself from screaming. There was word floating around that the headmaster was seeking out people willing to teach. That would make her job easier, as class sizes would shrink considerably. There were only three active instructors currently, and with the growing number of cadets, expansion to this Garden was necessary.
"I think I'll head to town for supper." she said to herself, walking towards her dormitory.
Many people waved and greeted her as she passed by them, reminding herself of her perpetual popularity.
Level 3, Headmaster's Office
"I don't understand. I was told that this Garden was looking for a guardian for the sorceress." Masaki explained, sitting across from the headmaster.
Cid frowned "It seems like Esthar Garden only broadcasted the 'appealing' part. Protecting the sorceress is but a secondary assignment."
Tsushima nodded, slightly miffed at the duplicity of Esthar Garden. "Pardon me for asking sir, but why is Garden harbouring a sorceress, isn't SeeDs purpose to destroy them?"
The headmaster got out of his chair and gazed out the window. The office had been remodelled since Post-Time Compression. There was still a lift to the control bridge, but the Cid's office has refurnished and put back into operation. Cid ran a hand through is greying hair, then finally spoke. "My wife was the Sorceress Edea. She knew that a time would come when she might be influenced by another sorceress and be forced to do acts of evil. Garden and SeeD were both her ideas. Garden trains SeeDs to exterminate dangerous and evil sorceresses, and only dangerous and evil ones.
"Not all sorceresses are dangerous or evil. After my wife regained control of herself, she was no longer evil nor dangerous. In fact, she helped bring about the end to Time Compression."
Tsushima listened to his case, understanding what the headmaster was saying. "So this sorceress you have under your care is also not dangerous or evil?"
The headmaster turned to face the visitor. "The sorceress under our care played a key role and was essential to stopping Time Compression," Cid answered "and ever since Adel, sorceresses have been discriminated against, and I don't think ours will be much of an exception."
"So that's why you need someone like me." Masaki concluded.
The evening light shone with a comforting glow through the windows. "Well, actually, we need someone like you because our cadets have the intelligence, but they don't know much about fighting."
Tsushima's eyebrows furrowed. "Don't you have experienced fighters for those positions." he more stated than asked.
Cid chuckled softly and then sat back down in his seat, then leaned forward as if he was going to tell him some big secret. "We're thinking of expanding Garden. I have an idea of leaving this one mobile, and constructing a new stationary Balamb Garden right here. Trabia and Galbadia may follow our example. We're getting most of our funding from the Shumi Village. The engineers at Fishermans Horizon will do a lot of the building if this goes through. I want to expand this place into something more than just a military academy. Maybe more of a school. But not one of those damn private schools where only the rich get in, but for everyone."
"So this mobile Garden will serve what purpose?"
"This Garden will be for the cadets. People interested in being SeeDs and protecting the world. The new one will be more of a normal school. That's my dream... and you're the only one who knows the whole story." Cid added, smiling.
"Well sir... the main purpose of the job isn't what I expected, so you'll have to forgive me in saying that I'll have to take a while to think about the offer."
"Very well, but we've provided you a dormitory room," Cid explained, handing Tsushima a keycard. "we'll talk more tomorrow, but I think it would be good to get acquainted with Rinoa."
Tsushima gave the headmaster a confused look. "Heh heh, she doesn't like to be called a sorceress." he clarified.
"I'll consider it Mr. Kramer. Thank you for your kindness."
Inside Tsushima Masaki's mind, this was a good way to become productive and useful again. But teaching? He didn't like kids much; the patience required wasn't there. But he no had a promising future ahead of him once again. He just hoped this time that he wouldn't get framed.