A/N: Thanks for the great reviews! I'm glad you guys like it so far. I'll try to get chapters out faster than this, I just had some trouble making myself actually sit down and type this one up :P This chapter is a bit longer than usual but I wanted to get a lot in. So enough with my rambling and on with chapter 2!

Disclaimer: I don't claim any rights to Final Fantasy 8, its characters, or any of the locations of it.

Ch.2: The Bird and the Scar

"Quit acting so friendly.
Don't nod don't laugh all nicely.
Don't think you'll up-end me.
Don't sigh, don't sip your iced-tea.
And don't say, "It's been a while..."
And don't flash that stupid smile.
Don't ask me how I've been.
…
Don't sit there and play just
So frank, so straight, so candid,
So thoughtful, so gracious,
So sound, so even-handed.
Don't be so damn benign
And don't waste my fucking time.
Don't ask me how I've been."

-Ok Go 'Don't Ask Me'

"There. I think these should fit quite nicely. You shouldn't have to bother with the sling anymore. However your arm will be fairly weak and a little tender for a couple more days," the nurse said, walking back into Quistis' room from the hallway with several articles of clothing draped over one of her arms.

Quistis laid the hairbrush she had been using down on the end table. The nurse's clothes had been much too big on her, so the nurse had gone out to find a smaller sized outfit. In the meantime, Quistis had been able to wash her hair thanks to a pitcher of water and a bowl the nurse had brought her. She also had time to look over the injuries she had received more thoroughly. Besides her arm, which she had found out was only sprained, not broken, there was a long gash travelling horizontally across the lower part of her stomach. Gauze bandaging was wrapped around it to keep any infection away.

"They're lovely, thank you," Quistis replied, taking the clothes. The outfit consisted of a full-length skirt, a long-sleeved collared blouse, and a pair of leather sandals. The skirt was navy with white embroidery around the bottom and slits coming up to where her knees would be. The blouse was made of an airy white material. Two parallel rows of small clear buttons fastened up the front of the garment.

"I saw Phoenix when I was out. I let her know you were awake. She said that you could stay at her house now that you're awake and that she'd accompany you to the Lord and Lady's house tonight. I'd be careful if I were you. That woman…"

She really doesn't like her, does she? Quistis' mind began to wander as the nurse rambled about the stranger's faults.

"Quistis." She looked up. The nurse was giving her a stern, serious look. "If she tries to get you into any trouble, any at all, you better come right back here alright? You seem like too nice of a girl to get mixed up with someone like her. There will always be plenty of room for you here."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"If she has such a bad reputation, how does she know the Lord and Lady?"

"Hmph. She was an orphan most of her childhood, living by stealing. Once she broke into the home of the Lord's older sister. She took pity on the little girl and adopted her and tried to help her find a better life, not that Phoenix was grateful for it. She ran away several years ago and the Lord's sister died while she was gone, from worry and stress no doubt. She cared for Phoenix like a daughter. So as I said before, any trouble and come right back here."

Quistis smiled and nodded, "Alright, thanks."

"I'll be downstairs if you need anything, dear."

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The nurse was right for the most part about the clothes fitting her. The sleeves on the shirt were a little too long, but Quistis remedied that by rolling them up to her elbows. She pinned her hair up with her hair clip. So far that had only been the only thing of hers she could find. My clothes were probably ruined in the water.

A sudden knock on her door startled her. "Come in," she called.

"Hi," A woman a year or two older than her walked in smiling. Her dark auburn hair stood out against her olive complexion and chocolate eyes. "Nice to finally meet you. Well… we met on the boat but I doubt you remember that. You can call me Phoenix. Your name is Quistis, right?"

"Yes… um, nice to meet you too." Phoenix stood a little more than an inch taller than Quistis, however that was most likely attributed to her boots. The young woman had dark auburn hair and eyes of mahogany. She was dressed in a ruffled sleeveless shirt and a skirt that ended just above her knees.

Phoenix glanced Quistis' attire over.

"At least the old hag did a good job finding some decent clothes for you. I was afraid she'd stick you in one of those ridiculous frilly things she likes to wear. Your other clothes are at my house." Quistis was slightly relieved; hopefully no one had noticed her whip tied around the waist of her skirt.

"Well, c'mon. Don't want to keep their highnesses waiting. Really, you'd think they owned the empire from the way they act. We can talk on the way."

Phoenix led the way downstairs. The nurse was waiting at the door to see them off. "Is Nenharmle not coming with you?" she asked Phoenix.

"He has some business to take care of in town," she replied.

The nurse nodded curtly. "Good-bye Quistis. I hope you have a lovely time. And remember what I said!" Quistis waved good-bye as Phoenix dragged her out the door.

"Old wench wouldn't trust me for the life of her," Phoenix muttered.

The streets were bustling with people, carts drawn by horses, and smaller chocobo-drawn carriages. Quistis had never seen horses up close before. If people used anything besides cars, trains, and ships to get around, they usually used chocobos. Merchants were putting out the last few goods of the day. "Quite different from your time, eh?" Phoenix said, grinning. Quistis stopped and stared.

"How did you-"

"He told me. Also, you'd have to be since you guys know each other. Common sense really." They started walking again, going past the various stone buildings. Most of them were two or three stories high with wooden shutters and sometimes a sign here or there to distinguish the houses from the stores. "Be careful what you say tonight at dinner. Lord and Lady Tiale think… well lets just say they don't trust you."

"I wouldn't trust a person found in the middle of the ocean either. It's not exactly something that happens everyday."

Phoenix shook her head. "There are other things involved too. They're probably going to be asking you a lot of questions, being the nosy people they are. So just follow what I say and hopefully things will go smoothly. If they ask where you're from, say Esthar."

"Esthar?"

"Yes it's a country farther north from-"

"No," Quistis shook her head, "I know what it is, but why Esthar?"

"Because that's where they think he's from. And if you two know each other it's only reasonable right?"

"Um, I guess."

"Ah here we are, welcome to Tiale Manor," Phoenix said with a smirk. In front of them rose a lovely brick home. Surrounded by a metal fence with ornate iron working, was a courtyard with flowers blooming along a stone path and tall trees casting their shadows on the green lawn. The large oak doors burst open as they approached the entrance.

"You're late." A girl in her late teens stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips.

"Well Ana, don't you look nice?" Phoenix replied. Her outfit was much fancier than Quistis or Phoenix's. The green dress hid her feet and its neckline dipped precariously.

Ana either missed the sarcasm in the statement or decided not to acknowledge it. "Hurry up and get inside. Eric is already here." She quickly walked off into the house.

"Shit," Phoenix shook her head and looked at the ground.

"What's wrong?" Quistis asked.

"He's not supposed to be here this soon. And of course they wouldn't tell me. I wouldn't have brought you if I knew he was going to be here."

"Who's Eric?"

"Their oldest son. He works for the Centran Empire, more specifically the sorceress."

"Centra is controlled by a sorceress?"

"Yes. Sorceress Estelle."

"Why is he here?"

"You, of course. He is the representative of Nolatri for the Empire," she let out a short breath. "No use in waiting out here."

Quistis followed Phoenix through the halls of the mansion until they came to a large dining room. The family had already sat down. Lord Tiale sat at the head of the table. To his right sat Lady Tiale. A younger man sat on his left. He had short cut, light brown hair and watched the two women with interest. They all stood up politely. "Good evening ladies," He turned to face Quistis, "My name is Eric Tiale. I'm a representative for the imperial government. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Cirande."

"Her name is Quistis," Phoenix scathed with a caustic glare. They took their seats and servants brought out bowls of soup.

"How is the weather down in the capital, Eric?" Lady Tiale asked, attempting to break the tense silence that had ensued.

"Mild compared to other summers. We've also been in somewhat of a drought."

"What a shame. The autumns are never as pretty during droughts. I hope they receive some rain before we visit," Lord Tiale commented. The sound of heavy footsteps in the hallway halted the conversation. A servant opened the door to the dining room for the late guest. Again, everyone stood up, with the exception of Quistis. All she could do was stare in disbelief, holding her spoon limply in her hand. Panic rose up in her chest.

"It's so wonderful you made it, Seifer!" Ana exclaimed, practically hopping with joy.

"Ana has a crush on him," Phoenix whispered. Quistis barely heard her though. She was too occupied with her own thoughts.

Seifer. Nenharmle is Seifer, not Squall. The name describes both of them. He and Squall have almost identical scars, gifts from each other, but I didn't even consider that they were talking about Seifer. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I let wishful thinking get the best of me…I didn't even take into consideration that they were talking about Seifer.

"Sorry I'm late." Seifer sat down next to Phoenix and across from Quistis, distancing himself from Ana. A servant quickly brought a bowl of soup for him. He looked different from when she last saw him in Lunatic Pandora, and it wasn't just the fact that he wasn't wearing his usually gray trench coat or wielding the Hyperion like an extended limb. He wasn't as tense, and his eyes held the same arrogance they had before he became a knight instead of pure malice.

He was watching her and it was beginning to make Quistis quite uncomfortable.

"So Seifer, you knew Quistis back in Esthar?" Eric asked casually.

"Yeah, she lived in one of the towns that I visited a lot. Her older brother owned a well-known weapons shop there and helped me out a couple times," Seifer lied.

He always did have a talent for lying and making up stories, she thought as she remembered all the excuses he used on the other teachers and staff members for being late, fighting in the halls, etc. He gave up on trying them in her class though. Quistis had known better than to believe some of the wild things he made up.

"What a coincidence… you two both ending up here…" Eric said, not really directed to anyone. "I have to admit, I am a bit curious… how did you end up out in the ocean, Quistis?"

"Pirates!" Phoenix blurted suddenly.

"Pirates?" Lord Tiale asked.

"Yes, she was kidnapped by pirates," Phoenix replied, calmer than before. Quistis saw Seifer bite his lower lip. He was trying his hardest not to laugh. "Her brother had a deal with them, what it was neither Quistis nor I are sure of, but it involved a payment to them from her brother and he wouldn't pay. So they kidnapped her. After a couple weeks, she managed to break out of her cell during the night and jump off the ship. Rather take your chances in the water than with them, right Quistis?" Phoenix gave her leg a slight nudge under the table.

"Um, right."

Eric smirked as servants took the soup away and brought out the main course. "Were these pirates friends of yours Phoenix?"

"Ha ha, very funny," Phoenix replied, cutting into the food on her plate.

Small talk resumed as they ate. Ana talked about some dresses she saw downtown. Lady Tiale made some comments about the condition of other family friends.

Quistis could feel another set of eyes besides Seifer's watching her as she ate. Eric hadn't bought Phoenix's story.

Everyone had finished after several more minutes. Quistis began to feel dizzy. I can't take all of this staring. I need to get out of here. She stood up abruptly. "I'm sorry, I'm feeling rather tired. I guess I still haven't recovered completely. Thank you for the lovely meal."

"Seifer can make sure you get back to the house alright. Right Seifer?" Phoenix volunteered.

Seifer raised a brow, wondering what Phoenix was thinking. "Sure."

"It was nice meeting you Quistis," Lady Tiale said politely as Quistis left with Seifer trailing behind lazily.

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As Quistis stepped outside, instinct told her to run. After all, the man who had tried to kill her and her friends was escorting her home. Reason, however, reminded her that there was nowhere she could run to; she was on an island in a time before her own.

She heard Seifer laughing quietly behind her. "Pirates… give me a break," he said to himself. He fell in stride with Quistis as they left the courtyard.

They walked in an uneasy silence for several blocks, Quistis turning whenever he turned. "So, I'm guess you guys won, Instructor?" Seifer finally asked.

"Yeah, more or less," she replied bitterly. She was mad at him for being here, although she knew it wasn't really his fault. She figured he wasn't going to kill her. If he wanted to do that, she knew he would've already done so.

"Bravo," He clapped his hands several times.

"Seifer, why are you here?" she asked irritated by his sarcasm.

"Same reason you are. Time compression. I got stuck in it back in Lunatic Pandora when you guys killed Adel and ended up here. I've been here a month longer than you have though. Who would've thought the perfect Instructor would get lost in time compression and get stuck over two centuries in the past?"

Quistis stopped, "Wait. Over 200 years?! I thought I only missed it by 80 something years!" A familiar feeling of dread now accompanied her dizziness.

"80? Try 279 years to be exact." He kept walking ahead.

"279? Oh for Hyne's sake!" She walked quickly to catch up to him.

"Keep your voice down, you don't need to be attracting any more attention. Turn here." They turned left onto a smaller street.

"What do you mean?"

"Come on, Instructor. Don't tell me you didn't think that Eric was just here to see his family." He stopped in front of one of the houses that lined the street and shoved his hand into one of his pockets, looking for the key.

"No Phoenix told me he was here because of me. But Seifer, how in Hyne's name should I know the exact reason he's here? I've been conscious for a only little over nine hours if you haven't forgotten." She was beginning to get frustrated.

He turned to face her. "Do you know what Cirande means in Centran?" She stared at him blankly. "It means sorceress. They think you're a sorceress, Instructor."

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