PeRFecT
© Briar Eve, aka Mr. McFrugalshtein.
Chapter 24
Tundra. That's what Trabia was- miles upon miles of frozen, infertile and unpopulated terrain. To the north lived the Shumi clan, and to the south lay the segregated Estharian empire. The population of Trabia consisted of a few scattered retreats and the students and SeeDs of North Garden.
As the Galbadian Zeppelin hovered near Garden, Quistis glanced out to the south. She'd only been to Trabia once. . .her field exam. Everything that could've gone wrong had, though, she'd still managed to pass the damned thing.
'What am I doing back here?'
Martine had asked her to accompany the SeeDs and cadets specifically- the mission involved the Red Dragon mountain. . . for some reason. They were to be briefed upon their arrival.
Quistis waited in silence for the airship to descend. With Martine at the helm, it could take hours to execute the relatively simple feat that was landing the zeppelin. She peeked over at Irvine, who was snoozing lightly with his head against the wall and his hat over his face. Beside him, Dunkan was reading over the report Dossier and highlighting elements of their assignment. Seifer sat to the SeeD's right and was too busy being enamored with his new gunblade to notice that Westmut was drawing on his neck with permanent marker. Beside Quistis herself, Hunter was wide-eyed and alert, while his partner in crime slept, curled up against him, sighing and cooing. Their innocence intrigued her and she envied their physical closeness- had she been in any other social position, she would've been wall against which Irvine slept. Instead, she was cold and haunted and she lusted him from afar.
Trabian Headmaster Cecil Rand met them upon landing. He was a hearty Nordic man with pale hair and eyes and kept two cadet-lackeys in tow. One was a solemn, dark-haired girl of about fifteen who guarded the headmaster vigilantly. The other girl. . .well. . .She was something, alright.
"Martine! How'r you. . .good god, you look old." Headmaster Rand chuckled, clasping the Galbadian's hand. Martine grinned sheepishly and shrugged.
"Well. . .I did get the behavior-problem orphans, you know. They run me ragged. . ."
"Yeah- the 'orphans', among other things. . .Well- lets get your group inside and I'll brief you on the assignment. Brie, Selphie- can you please help Headmaster Martine's squadron with their gear? They have the guest rooms in the east quadrant, adjacent to the dormitories. If the two of you wouldn't mind directing them there, I could brief the Headmaster on our situation."
"Of course, Headmaster." The stoic brunette answered with a salute. Her comrade grinned and winked one brilliant, emerald eye.
"Score! People from the real world!" The bouncing ball of energy thrust a fist into the air. The wind flirted with her honey brown helmet-hair and her mouth contorted into a big, fat grin. That look. . .was reminiscent of something. Or someone.
'There's something about that girl. . .' Quistis mused, watching her immature display. She tried to catch Irvine's eye with a subtle glance, but found that his attention was entirely focused on the flaky Trabian. His wide purple eyes followed the girl's every gesture, and he was biting his lips, trying to suppress the grin that was tugging at his curvilinear mouth. A knot formed in the pit of Quistis' stomach.
"Selphie- they're just here to help with the cult. They're not staying . . .though we really do need some new blood around here. . ." The dark-haired girl chided, ending with an astute aside. The Trabian headmaster frowned.
"Ladies, would you please escort the Galbadian party to their apartments. Martine, follow me."
"I'd like Lieutenant Trepe to hear it as well, if you don't mind, Cecil." Martine added. "She's actually the only one in the party whose been to the red dragon mountain, and she will be acting as squad leader."
"Trepe, eh?" The blond main scratched at his beard. "You that soldier-prodigy that Cid was always talking about? The one that stopped the Galbadian missile crisis?"
"Yes, sir." Quistis responded stiffly. 'Why the hell does everyone have to bring that up? I just wish they'd. . what the hell?' She glanced over and unconsciously glowered.
The two trabian cadets- Brie and Selphie, was it?- had started to herd the Galbadian group toward the Garden. The ever-charming Dunkan was busy buttering up the obviously under-aged Brie, while Seifer carried both his own and his superior's canvas packs. Quistis didn't particularly care about this. However, she couldn't help but bristle at the sight of Irvine- her lover- chatting –flirting- merrily as he trotted alongside the adorable, winking Selphie. She was obviously a little hoMewReCker.
'Homewrecker? Where the hell did that come from? She's just being polite, isn't she. . .?' Quistis mused to herself. She was suddenly aware that Headmaster Rand was still talking to her.
". . .and, I must admit, miss Trepe- that we were disappointed when we found out that you were to be sent to Galbadia for your training placement, though, it seems that it was fated." The Trabian grinned and clomped her on the back. "Come- let's discuss these delicate matters in privacy. You really don't know who or what could be hiding in the snow drifts. . ."
It was bitterly cold and Rand's office proved an attractive and homey escape. The smallest of the gardens, Trabia was much cozier than Balamb and much more hospitable than Galbadia. The headmaster's office was illuminated by a pair of pewter lamps and a flourishing fire in the chimney-grate. Martine collapsed into a blood-red leather wing chair and sneaked a mint from the candy-dish on the desk to sate his rampant sweet tooth. Quistis descended into a matching chair and folded her hands neatly in her lap- her façade fully operational after a long stint of malfunction.
For this brief moment, Quistis Trepe felt and looked perfect.
She glanced at her watch. Five-thirty seven.
Headmaster Rand pulled out several color-coded dossiers from his file directory and offered them to Martine and Quistis, who accepted them with mild trepidation.
"So. . ."Martine glanced at the folios in his grasp. "What're we dealing with? Mesmerizes, adamantoise, what?" Rand shook his head sadly.
"No. . .that would be too easy." Pulling a photograph from his own dossier, he presented it to the Galbadian headmaster. Martine peeked at it, grunted, then handed it to Quistis. As her eyes fell on the snapshot, a delicate shiver coursed through her limbs.
It's not that the photograph was violent or vulgar-no, it was more the associations Quistis' brain formed upon seeing the subject. Rexaurs, knives, blue magic, keys, gerogeros and Vigil. Pain, fear and death.
The photograph highlighted several men dressed in the gray uniforms that they'd believed to be Estharian. It was the uniform the assassin had donned when he'd tried to murder her in the Training Center and the one the gerogero-Wynston had been wearing when he had cast Tiamat on them.
"Trepe? Hey-you- you okay?" Martine poked her in the shoulder. Quistis broke from her trance and threw him a reassuring smile.
"Yes, I'm sorry. It's just that. ..this uniform seems to pop up quite a lot. . ."
"Well. . .I guess so. . ."Martine scratched his head. "It's similar to the one that guy was wearing in the Training center, and the one that broke into the presidential palace, um. . ."
"The creature that attacked us in Winhill was also dressed as such." Quistis added, then paused. "When was the presidential palace broken into?"
"Oh, a couple weeks ago. President Deling had me station a couple of SeeDs there for his protection. Nothing really valuable was taken, but the intruder was discovered quite early and it bolted like a bat outta hell. I dunno- I wasn't there. I just heard it all from Deling last week when he came to Garden. . ."Martine trailed off in a broken tone. Sometimes, Martine could be restrained.
"So. .. you're familiar with this sect. . ."Rand inserted.
"Sect of what?" Quistis frowned.
"Sorceritology. That's the nickname we've come up with for these pro-sorceress cults. They're still scattered all over the world."
"So It's pro-sorceress activists again, eh? Ah hell. . .I'm so sick of these guys." Martine whined, picking at the candy-dish. Quistis rolled her eyes.
'He's such a doofus. . .'
"That is correct Martine." Rand grinned wryly.
"So why the hell have they been bothering North Garden?" Martine asked, finally discovering the most perfectly formed mint in the dish. "I mean, we have our reasons in Galbadia, but here. . ."
"I'm. . .not quite sure." The Trabian headmaster interrupted. "To be honest with you, I've been wondering that myself. I mean- they've stationed themselves deep in the caverns of Red Dragon Mountain, but they keep attacking us, totally unprovoked. There is a significant distance between our two locations. It just doesn't make a lick of sense! At least the consequences haven't been devastating… but they have been ample. Several cadets hospitalized, some in critical condition. . .Without understanding any motives, I have a hard time taking action."
"I agree." Martine nodded. "This is odd. . .But, I'm afraid that, because we don't know the motivation, we'll have to treat this as terrorism. They've been hostile towards Garden in many instances, so, I guess we will have to take action. We honestly have no choice but to venture to their encampment."
"That's what I figured." Rand sighed, scratching his head. "I'll assemble a group of our Resident-SeeDs and senior classmen to join your group. The Trabian and Galbadian Zeppelins should be able to reach the base of the mountain fairly easily. However, after this, the task force will have to approach the enemy headquarters on foot."
"There's a man-made path through the foothills and up the north side. We can follow that up at least halfway. . ."Martine glanced at Quistis for help. Giving a sharp nod, she recounted what she could remember.
"The path isn't much, and the hearty native flora tends to grow rampantly, as do the snow drifts, so we might have to hack through it a bit, but there is a definite path to follow through the mountains. Our best bet would be to stick to it for as long as possible, before we veer off in search of the caverns."
"Those caves aren't actually too far off the main trail- I sent a couple SeeDs after the last attack to scope out the environment." Headmaster Rand announced. "Unfortunately, that's another problem we have to deal with. Two of them returned on Monday, while the third one was discovered and has been taken hostage."
"Well…we'll come to that when we come to it. So they have a trump card. . .we still have a straight flush and a crazy eight on the side. I'm not going to worry about an old maid. . ."
'Damn. How's that for a mixed metaphor?'
"Let's take a look at the map and figure out a plan of action, shall we?" Martine grabbed a fistful of peppermints, and hopped over the desk to study the map. Quistis and Headmaster Rand rolled their eyes simultaneously- Martine was truly a character.
"The path winds around the base a bit, then follows the incline on the north east end. Now, about sixty meters above ground, there is a slight precipice that may be problematic. So I'm suggesting. . ."
Quistis blocked Rand and Martine from her mental sphere. She glanced out the window, at the snow covered campus and capped mountains against the horizon. It was hard to picture Galbadia at this time of the year- so warm and shimmering with new life. There were mid-summer blossoms on the trees and too-long grass in the fields, swaying with the tepid western breeze. Being here in Trabia offended Quistis' senses and perception.
'I need to go back to Balamb. It feels like I'm being torn from every angle. Everything will be perfect back in Balamb. . .' She stopped.
Irvine.
She had a little more than two weeks left in Galbadia before she took up her full-time instructor's position at Balamb Garden.
'Hyne. Wh. . what's going to happen then? I. . .' Her mental diatribe was at a loss. Trying to clear her mind, Quistis glanced down and to the right, where there gathered a group of Trabian cadets, chatting and horsing around. The Balambite instructor watched with mild interest, trying to distinguish and pigeonhole the Garden cliques. All of the stereotypes were there- the brown-nosers, the green-eyed monsters, the Squalls- Trabia Garden had them just as obviously as Galbadia and Balamb. She sat for a moment, wondering which one she'd actually been.
'None, I suppose. I never had enough cadet friends to form a clique. All work and no play makes Quistis Trepe a 'SeeD prodigy.' Hmpf. Bullshit. Makes her a socially defunct poseur. Definitely that.'
A quick movement caught the corner of her eye, so Quistis turned her face for a better perspective. A flash of dirty white and embroidered red crosses. She groaned internally- Just what the hell was Seifer doing now? He was supposed to be mentally preparing himself for the next mission in his dorm room.
Another movement snagged her attention. This figure, dressed in suede and lambs wool, was hardly being subtle. Nausea rose in her stomach- 'They better not be fighting again. . .'The phrase growled in her cranium.
She watched as Seifer crept behind the cluster of picnic tables, getting swatted by the student government clique who were presently using the tables for their base of operations. Irvine, in contrast, was skulking behind the snowed-in land vehicle and the Trabians who gathered around and atop it. She couldn't quite distinguish who was stalking who, but, thankfully, neither had their weapons drawn.
'What the hell are those two doing?' She shook her head, mystified. As Irvine rounded the terrain vehicle, she caught a glimpse of his clever smile and sparkling eyes. Pure mischief. Now, she was really intrigued.
'Hyne, what is that boy. . .ack!'
She audibly squeaked as the both Irvine and Seifer popped up from their hiding spots and launched their weapons. Their weapons being snowballs. And. .. to Quistis' surprise, the balls weren't directed at each other.
They were directed at everyone else.
Mayhem ensued as the Balamb and Galbadia Gardens' prodigal sons began to terrorize the Trabian natives. Quistis could almost hear the squeals of protest from the government clique and the brown-nosers, and she swore she could hear the competitive hollers arising from the group of burly boys gathered around the terrain vehicle. Smacking their beefy hands together, they began to roll massive clumps of snow into shapely,dense balls, and, after taking cover behind the hummer, proceeded to whip the ice pellets at anyone they could peg off.
Quistis bit her lip and nervously glanced over at the headmasters, who were in deep consternation and discussion. Apparently, the map was absolutely fascinating. Shaking her head, she turned back to the chaotic scene only to be met with a morbid and frightening sight.
The Trabians had caught Seifer and Irvine.
Quistis had turned back just in time to see the Trabian mob catch up to the laughing boys and throw them to the ground. The students of North Garden then proceeded to pelt the foreigners with snowballs until Almasy and Kinneas were nothing more than a snow drift. The last snowball was thrown by the peppy cadet with the flirty brown hair and personality, who sat herself down on the human snowbank and grinned.
'I don't like hEr. . .'
Suddenly, Irvine popped his head out of the frigid mass, and winding his arms around the little girl, yanked her off and threw her, face first, into the pile. Her comrades laughed it off, and took up their former tableaux. Highly amused, Seifer wormed his way out of the snow and brushed himself off. Then, nonchalantly, he grabbed an armful of the sticky coldness and dropped it onto Irvine's head, before sauntering off towards the dormitories. Irvine, with a good-natured laugh, shook himself off like a mongrel while still pinning the charming waif under his weight. The girl- what was her name again?. . .S. . ophie?. . .Selkie?. . .Selphie!- Selphie was squirming and flailing her skinny arms, trying to break from his unyielding grip. But the grinning cowboy was relentless, and held her fast, all the while molding the perfect snowball in his gloved hands. Quistis could tell from the way the girl contorted her mouth that she was screaming bloody murder.
'A girl that size probably has to resort to those types of tactics fairly frequently.' Quistis thought cattily, as her cadet jumped off the diminutive girl, holding his poor ears.
Pumping her arms in the air, the Trabian struggled clumsily to her feet and danced a victory jig. Irvine accepted the defeat gracefully with a swipe of his arm and an over-extended bow. Giggling, the girl punched him lightly in the arm, and he fell to the ground in a playful, mock death-scene. He lay in the snow for a moment, then awkwardly pushed himself from the ground, saved from slipping on the icy surface by the Trabian's gracious assistance. She smiled shyly in response to his beaming grin, and, holding onto one another desperately, they slipped and slid their way to the snowy turf, where they met up with Selphie's dark-haired friend, Brie, and Dunkan, who had his strong arm around the young woman's shoulders. After a few moments of what looked like playful banter, the group returned to the confines of North Garden. Quistis found that she couldn't pry her eyes from Irvine's form, as he trudged through the snow with the elfin girl hopping along beside him at an intimate distance. Once in awhile, he would lean in and say something to her, which would elicit a dark blush on her sunny cheeks. Then he would erupt in a chuckle and the whole group would be merry. Irvine and Selphie were adorable together.
She paused in horrified mental silence.
'What the hell is wrong with you? That's your lover down there! That's Your Irvine!'
Stunned and traumatized by her own stupidity, Quistis choked down a gob of bile that had launched from her duct through her esophagus, propelled by the thought of the little Trabian sLUt.
'Slut? How the hell would I know if she's a slut or not? She's just some girl. Some nobody. Irvine's just being friendly- he IS friendly. . .'
A random mental projection of Irvine played in her mind. His haunting violet eyes, his golden skin and sun-inspired hair, his sweet, clever smile- he was hers entirely. She knew that.
''Yours', huh? Well, as much as anything so free-spirited can be tamed. You hunted, Trepe, and claimed him for your own. You won him, you own him- same difference. He's just flirting harmlessly with that pretty little flake. It's first nature to him. . .' Her weak justifications did nothing to appease the hollow pains swelling in the pit of her stomach.
'He said he wouldn't flirt with anyone. He promised me that he wouldn't. . .' Quistis snapped at her conscience, her nerves slightly shot. She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. 'He's just being friendly with her. Just trying to make new friends. He does that- expands his fanbase exponentially by seduc. . .making friends in each city he goes to.' More justification. She was starting to feel ill.
"Quistis? Hey-Trepe? You there?"
Quistis turned a bland eye on Martine, who was gawking at her curiously.
"Yes?"
"Um. . .could you pinpoint the dragons' lair on this map, just so we make sure we don't take the wrong way and end up facing off with a swarm of berserked red dragons?"
Taking in a deep breath, Quistis rebuilt her perfect persona and marched to Martine's side. After glancing over the map, she took the highlighter they'd been using to distinguish the important sites, and circled the dragon den.
"We have to avoid this place and, even still, it's very possible that we could run into a whole host of these creatures. We need to have the appropriate magic junctioned and readied just in case."
Every utterance was clear and decisive and flawless. Not even a master artisan could've created the exquisitely wrought mask that was SeeD Trepe. Her façade was virtually unbreakable.
She sat back in her chair and stared out the window. The fire in her belly began to roar and her mind whirled.
Irvine. . .and Selphie.
Irvine and any girl. . .or woman, hell, even men-He didn't belong to them. He belonged to her.
'What the hell does he think he's doing, flirting with her in plain sight like that?' She seethed, jealously breaking down her patience. 'It's as if he wants to get caught- wants me to catch him. . .'
She paused for a moment.
'What the hell is wrong with you? Why would he want to get caught? He knows that you're paranoid. . .' She stared off into space, now fully encompassed in her mental skirmish.
'Irvine's not obtuse. . .He knows that I'd eventually find out. . .Hyne- it's sickeningly obvious. The way he cocks his head and sparkles his eyes. . .the way that slutty grin just illuminates his face at the perfect moment. . .what a perfect act. . .he's a master player. . in every way. . .'
'Quistis!' She scolded herself. 'That's just stupidity. If he IS flirting with her, it's probably unconscious. . .'
'Perhaps. . .but it's obvious that his unconscious wants to get up her skirt. . .no wonder, look how damned short it is. Plus, he hasn't had any in a month. . .he's most likely getting 'antsy'. . .Well, that is if he hasn't cheated on me yet. . .'
Her heart palpitated.
'Oh my fucking Hyne. . .what if. . what if he has. . .'
She waited for her conscience to dismiss her fears. . .but it had become uncharacteristically submissive.
'He's always so. . .calm and laidback. . .what if. ..what if he has been cheating on me? I mean- hell, what man wouldn't? I. . .I haven't given him any reason not too. I. .won't publicly acknowledge our relationship, I haven't given him anything solid and. . .I certainly haven't fulfilled any of his needs. Oh fuck. . .he has. All those galbadian girls. . .so pretty and willing. . .I. ..'
She gasped and leaned her head against the window, her breath ragged and pulse fluctuating. Quistis was sinking deeply.
'Irvine. . .Damn it. . .it's all my fault. I'm so useless. . .why would he want me, when he could have a beautiful, happy girl like Selphie. . . or Astrid, or Rinoa or Cynthia from the Library, or Ruby the infirmary attendant, or the peppy waitress from Galbadia hotel, or. ..anyone. He could have anyone. . .And probably has. ..' Thick tears welled up in the crooks of her eyes. 'Of course he has. . .He never pushed me. Never asked me. . .Never needed me. . .' She swallowed the viscous lump expanding in her throat. 'I. . .I can't believe it. . .He said he was mine. He said he loved me, that, wherever he was, he would come if I needed him. . .Where is he now?'
With Selphie. Touching Selphie. Kissing Selphie. Fucking Selphie against a wall. . .
'It doesn't matter. He's not here. I need to see you right now, Irvine. You promised me. . .if you break that promise. . .well then, I have no reason to believe any of your other ones. . .Irvine. . .'
There was a knock at the office door.
'Holy shit.'
Without even glancing over to the headmasters, Quistis scrambled to her feet and flung herself to the door.
"Wow- Somebody's bored."
Quistis ignored Martine's comment and flung the door open.
Irvine!
"Hi. . um. . Lieutenant Trepe, right?"
Selphie.
Ready to cry, Quistis nodded wordlessly and allowed the petite Trabian to enter the office. She resumed her previous position.
"Headmaster Rand? Though we encountered a few. . . issues, the Galbadian SeeDs and Cadets are now settled in their rooms and await your orders. As do I, sir!" She saluted cheerfully and grinned.
Quistis wanted to die.
"Thank you Sel. . .Selphie, dear, why are you soaked?" Headmaster Rand glanced at her curiously. She blushed.
'She was frolicking in the snow with Hyne's gift to woman. It'd put a blush on anyone's face. . .'
"Well, sir, that would be from the 'issues' I referred to earlier. The Galbadian cadets had a touch of cabin fever, and, um, tee hee, decided to attack some of the senior classmen on their free period."
"Attack them?!?! Unprovoked?!?!? What's the damage?" Martine rushed over and grabbed the girl by the shoulders."
'Only a mangled heart. . .'
"Actually, Headmaster Martine, they were throwing snow, and, the only real damage is to Cadet Almasy's favorite coat and Cadet Kinneas' hat. Oh, and their pride. But that's about it. In fact, Trabia won." She beamed and winked.
'You're right. Trabia did win. Balamb always loses. . .'
"Well done, Selphie." Headmaster Rand grinned and thumped the girl on the back. "We'll be issuing the dossier fairly soon. In the meantime. . ." He glanced at Quistis. "I think we're boring Lieutenant Trepe- I think she's more used to action than this puttering around. If you'd be so kind as to escort her to her chamber. . ."
"Lieutenant Trepe? Yeah, that'd be awesome!" Selphie gushed.
'Gushed? Yeah right, probably wants to do a victory dance on my bruised carcass. . .Hyne, she looks so innocent and guileless. . what a conniving little bitch. . .'
"Quistis? I think we have everything under control." Martine murmured, putting his hand on her shoulder. She gazed up at him, disoriented.
"Are you going to be okay?"
She couldn't answer.
"Martine? Is everything alright. . .?"
"Yeah- This is just a hard time. We came here straight after the funeral. . .Haven't had much time to recuperate. . ."
"Hyne, I'm sorry, I realize that." Rand announced, scratching his head. "You know that I wouldn't have asked you, but I contacted Cid, and he was taking Xu to the hospital and told me to get a hold of you."
"Xu's at the. . .?"Quistis asked wondrously. Headmaster Martine nodded.
"She. . .had a full mental breakdown on the way back to Balamb. Cid's in Dollet at the center there. Yeah. . .I know. She's NOT happy about being there. But Cid's really worried about her. . .I think we all are. . ."
"Oh, Xu. . ."Quistis moaned mournfully. Martine rubbed her shoulder.
"Quistis- don't worry about her. Don't worry about anyone but yourself, okay? Now. . .Miss Tilmitt." Selphie perked her head up at Martine's address. The little brunette had been trying to refrain from eavesdropping, though, judging from her worried countenance, she'd failed miserably.
"Y. . .yes sir, Headmaster Martine, s. .sir?" She saluted clumsily, caught unaware.
Quistis had to smile at that
"Cadet Tilmitt, I would like you to take Instructor Trepe to the cafeteria for some hot chocolate, then, afterwards, please show her to her quarters. Quistis. . ."He turned back to the Balamb instructor, his friend. "Quistis, you HAVE to try the Trabian hot chocolate. It's amazing and addictive- all that estharian dark blend, and the trabian white chocolate, with the full-fat milk and the whipped cream, and the shaved mocha-chocolate on the top and sprinkles and the pinch of cinnamon. Good god, it's a beautiful thing. Best I've ever had."
"Yeah, and you've had a lot. Too much, I think." Quistis uttered before she realized what was spewing from her mouth. Both headmasters stared at her, taken a back, then began to laugh.
"Well- I guess you're right!" Rand hollered through his rich, belly-laugh. "You got him pegged, girl. .."
"Hell, Cecil. . ."Martine croaked. "For minute there, I thought it was Vesper nagging at me. Yeah, I guess I gotta cut down. . ." Patting his belly, he roared and glanced at Selphie." Or not. . .Selphie, after you and Quistis have a nice evening. . ."
"Would you like me to super-size that for you, Headmaster Martine?" She asked innocently. Martine was practically drooling.
"Actually, maybe get him a thermos. . ."Quistis offered. Selphie giggled and nodded, and Headmaster Rand nodded sagaciously.
"Alright, alright- get the hell out of here, Trepe." Martine growled, swatting at the girls and pushing them into the hallway. Just before he closed the mahogany door, he winked. "Extra sprinkles on top, 'kay? Thanks girls. . ."
"Watch out, Instructor Trepe- it's REALLY hot." Selphie squeaked as they left the cafetorium with their (and Martine's) hot beverages. Ignoring the irritating pixie, Quistis sipped at hers and maintained her mask perfectly, even though her tongue was singed and probably blistering. Shrugging, Selphie grinned and blew on her drink.
"I'm a wimp, I guess. It always hurts my tongue."
'A wimp. . among other things. . ."
After twenty minutes with the girl, Quistis was already aggravated and seething. It was as if the Trabian was consciously trying to make Quistis' evening a living hell, with her perkiness and exuberance. If Quistis had been feeling even a touch more aggressive, she would've slapped the dark-haired jezebel across her optimistic face. . .then whipped her. . .twenty or so times. . .possibly more. . .Even that may not have sated Quistis. . .had she been in a bloodthirsty mood.
Lucky for Selphie, she was not.
She was depressed and sinking fast.
". . .so. . .um. . .I wanted to ask you a question. . ."
"Huh?" Quistis turned the girl, who shuffled her feet meekly and looked at the ground. 'How dare you! After all they you're trying to do. . .' "Yes?"
"Um. . .I just wanted to know what it was like."
'What? Finding my soul mate, then having him stolen from my by some ignorant little trollop?'
"What it was like. . .in the missile hangar. When you saved all those people. When you saved the world. . .how did you do it? How did it feel?"
The girl's wide emerald eyes glittered beautifully, with hope and pride and. .. what?. . .excitement. Not bloodlust. . .but. . .rapture inspired by. . what?
"Your heroism. . .It's really inspired me. I. . .want to go to Balamb to be a SeeD more than anything now. You've taught cadets all over the world that, no matter how solitary our existence can be, that we still have the potential to make a difference. You saved Galbadia single-handedly, Instructor Trepe. Gosh. . .Amazing. So. . .what was it like? There. . .in the hangar. . .with those missiles barreling down upon you and your students. Then. . .after. When it was all over. What did you think?"
Quistis felt guilty. Those wide eyes, the delicate blush on the girl's cheeks- she was guileless and earnest and fully encompassed the joie-de-vivre ideology. Quistis felt her façade melt into a true smile.
"I. . .was thinking about how alone I was. Cadets and soldiers were dropping all around me- my mentor lay broken and bruised at my feet. I. . .kept telling myself that I was too weak to handle the burden- both the physical and emotional burdens. Then. . .from somewhere. . .there came a voice, telling me to live, and somehow I mustered up the strength from the depths of my body or metaphysicality, and the solution came. I guess that's sort of the way it is with limit breaks, Selphie. But. . .it's funny that you should mention the loneliness. Because that was first and foremost in my mind at the time." Quistis paused and moistened her lips. "Afterwards. . .I fell unconscious because of my overexertion. And then. . .after I had recovered. . .my life was a whirlwind. Heroics don't lead to happily ever afters, Cadet Tilmitt- they direct you in a path of more heroics and more suffering. Just because you save the world once doesn't mean you've saved yourself from having to go through it again. So. . .you might want to reconsider your martyrdom, because that's essentially what heroism is."
Selphie watched her, slightly perplexed, then nodded seriously.
"I understand, Instructor Trepe. But it only intensifies my need to help people. When I'm ready, I hope I can follow your example and show the world that you don't need an entire brigade to make someone's life a little brighter."
'Well spoken, cadet.' Quistis had to admit it. 'Now. . .if you weren't trying to steal my soul mate, We'd probably be great friends. . .'
They continued silently down the hallway towards the dormitories. The conflicting views in Quistis' head battled each other mercilessly. It was. .. almost painful.
"Alright. . .so, this is Dormitory C- It's generally used for guests 'cause the student population isn't large enough to require this amount of space. So, SeeD Dunkan is in this room. . ."She pointed to one door, then continued. "And Lieutenant Westmut is here. . .um, the cadets are staying along this wall. . ."Selphie turned the corner and pointed to a series of apartments. "Cadet Sargent is in 104, Almasy in 106, Kinneas in 108 and, miss Lorenz is over here beside your room, which is 109, on the adjacent wall. Headmaster Martine is in 111 and that's just down the hall thattaway." She pointed to their right. Fishing around in the pocket of her uniform, Selphie, with an 'a-hah', produced a long silver key with a metal keychain affixed to the end. "Here's your key, Instructor Trepe. I hope you like your room. It's REALLY nice!" She cooed. "That's why I gave it to you, and not one of the boys." Selphie blushed and continued. "I thought you would appreciate it. It has the fluffiest bed and this texturing on the wall, and, it has this really cool swag lamp with glass beads- it's just great."
"Thank you, Selphie." Quistis smiled despite herself. "You've been a such a tremendous help. Now, you should probably get back up to the headmaster's office- Headmaster Martine will be waiting anxiously for his hot chocolate. . ."
"Oh- yeah, right! Well, just a minute. .." Selphie subtly slid her little form between Quistis and the door. While Quistis was beginning to like the girl, there was still the matter of Selphie and Irvine that the Instructor had to cry about in her room. But she didn't let her frustration seep into the fibers of her persona.
"Yes, Selphie."
"Sorry, Instructor Trepe, I just needed to ask about. . .well, Kinneas."
Of course.
Naturally. Slut, whore, bitch, homewrecker, temptress, cunt. . .
'Butter me up then stab me with the knife, eh Tilmitt?'
"What about Cadet Kinneas?" Her tone was curt, and she meant it to be.
"Well. . .I. . .um. . .was just wondering if he was okay, y'know?"
Quistis blinked.
"What do you mean? Is he hurt?" Quistis pronounced fretfully. 'What did you do to him? Bite him, draw blood, during your violent romp in the armament's closet?' Selphie wagged her head.
"No no, nothing like that. It's just. . .he's. .. I don't know how to say it. . .kind of odd. . ."
'Odd? What the hell? Irvine's not odd. . .'
"I mean. .I'm just wondering. I didn't mean to overhear all that stuff about Commander Xu, and I heard that one of the Galbadian instructors was killed last week. I just wanted to make sure that the cadets were all right. I don't know. . .maybe Kinneas is always like this. . but he seemed. .. I don't know. . .really anxious and. . well, really needy."
'Irvine's not needy. . .What the hell is she talking about?'
"How so, Selphie?" Quistis asked delicately. Selphie shrugged.
"Dunno- maybe he's just one of those guys. ..y'know- the kind that just blurt out their past and problems the moment they meet someone new. It was weird."
'Irvine talked to Selphie about his problems? They just fucking met! My my, haven't we become the trusting little soul, Irvy-poo. . .wait. . .she. . .doesn't sound thrilled about it. . .'
"What was he saying?" Quistis asked, maintaining her composure. Selphie scratched her head and frowned.
"Oh, all this stuff about when he was a little guy- every time there was a potential lead in, he jumped in with an anecdote from when he was, like, six years old. I mean- it was cute that he remembered them, but kinda weird. And he just kept talking about this orphanage and his little friends there. Strange- I mean- he's pretty hot, 'n everything, but he's got some issues with his past." Selphie forced a smile. "Instructor Trepe- this is Garden. You and I both know what that means. Almost all of us are orphans from the sorceress war- I myself am a Garden-owned orphan. I can't remember much about my childhood, but I know that even I have demons from my past lurking in my murky brain. So. . .I guess it was just kinda irking me, like he was showing off that he remembered his childhood. . ." She trailed off, and looked a little wistful. Quistis knew that look- she'd felt it often when Irvine recounted his past to her. But she now knew why she felt that way- because he had been recounting her past, trying desperately to help her remember it. . .
Quistis stopped on that thought.
He spoke about their past because he thought it would jog her memory. He'd don't the same to Seifer. Could 'Selphie' be. . .
She told me that Sefie-my best friend- was lookin' for me and wanted ta play house. Well- I loved playin' Big poppa, so I jumped up and ran back inta the orphanage. I looked all over for Sefie-girl, but I couldn't find'er.
'Sefie'
The little girl- a tiny slip of a thing with short, honey-brown hair and massive emerald eyes- pulled the charred mess from her stick and went about getting the white gelatin all over her face and in her hair.
'Honey brown hair and emerald eyes. . .'
The marshmallow covered brunette tried desperately to complete a hand-stand, but wound up on her bony buttocks, giggling,
'Giggling. . .always giggling. . .'
"He was always so sensitive- Selphie and I took it upon ourselves to take care of him. . ."
'Selphie. . .little Selphie. Baby Sefie.
Quistis gasped softly as the truth finally struck her. Selphie didn't notice.
"I don't know. . .I just wanted to make sure that he was okay because Almasy said he was close to the instructor that died. I tried to be as nice as I could to him, and all, but I just felt sorry for him."
'Hyne. . .He wasn't flirting. That wasn't a look of lust. He knew! He recognized her. Oh fuck, I'm so stupid! He knew! Selphie! His. .. Our. . .best friend. Our family. Baby 'Sefie'. Irvine was always 'Big Poppa', Selphie was 'baby sefie' because Irvine couldn't pronounce her name, and I. . .was. . .' Quistis paused to relish her play-house name. 'Mrs. Irvine Kinneas. . .' She smiled dreamily, falling into a hormonal, adolescent stupor. 'Or Matron. . .Selphie called me 'mommy-matron'. . .but I always made Irvine call me Mrs. Irvine Kinneas. . .Oh hell. . .I'm such a flake. Poor Irvine. . .poor Selphie.'
"H. . He's been under a lot of pressure lately." Quistis stammered, trying to get something to come out of her mouth that didn't include the words 'Sefie- I'm your mommy!'. Selphie nodded, very accepting. She had always been so trusting and light-hearted and caring.
She hadn't changed.
"You know what? I'll go make sure that he's okay. Instructor Botchaskya's death really hit him hard. . .He probably needs to vent a bit. Thanks for noticing Selphie."
"Oh, no problem. I just wanted to make sure that he was going to be up for the mission tomorrow. I really wouldn't want to see him get hurt, because he seems so nice!"
'You have no idea. . .' Quistis genuinely smiled and nodded.
"And. . .oh shit. Look at me. Prattling on like an airhead. I need to get this H.C. up to Headmaster Martine. Anyway, I'm so glad I got to talk to you! Have a good night, Instructor Trepe!" Selphie beamed.
"Selphie. . . you can call me Quistis, okay?"
"Really?" Selphie's eyes grew to astronomical proportions. Giggling lightly, Quistis waved it off.
"Yes- really. Please."
". . .Cool. Thanks. . . 'Quistis'." The Trabian girl tasted the name, found it delicious, and scurried off.
Quistis watched the good-natured scamp, and sighed happily. She stood in the hallway for a moment, letting all of the anxiety and fear slowly drip from her body to the ground. Then. . .
She politely knocked on Irvine's door. She waited for a moment. No answer. She shrugged. Finding the doorknob turn able, she entered.