After the Storm Has Passed
(Author's Note: I know it's short but I wanted to put it in. Space the story out a little, you know... This is an add-on chapter from the first one.)

Chapter Five: Talking To Edea

I ate lunch in silence, listening to the others talk. They didn't make that much effort to include me. Zell sent me an encouraging smile though, and that had to last me the whole lunch hour. They sat there, talking about events I had never heard of. I felt out of place...

Eventually, I couldn't take it any more. I stood up and looked pointedly at Squall, making it clear I wasn't going to listen to excuses.

"I need a dormitory, I need clothes, I need a weapon, and I need to talk to Edea. I think you are in charge of things like that, are you not?" I asked. Squall looked at his hotdog, then sighed and stood up.

"If I had my way you wouldn't even be here," Squall said. I shrugged, what would I care about that? It was his problem.

"Hey, I'll come with you. Don't want you to get killed..." Irvine said, gesturing to Squall's gunblade. I didn't reply, I simply clenched my fists.

"He'd suffer Edea's wrath if he killed me," I replied, as confidently as I could. Squall laughed, a cold harsh laugh.

"You think Edea would side with you over me?" He asked, and laughed again. There was the sound of a polite cough. I turned to see Edea stood at the entrance to the cafeteria. I saluted.

"Ah, yes, Karena... I believe we should get you settled in. Selphie, organise the dormitories. Rinoa, lend her some of your clothes, Irvine, get a weapon..." Edea instucted. In turn all saluted and left. I didn't attempt to read any of their expressions. Edea then gestured for me to follow her.

She lead me into an empty classroom, where she sat down, and gestured to a seat.

"You probably know that Squall hates you... I won't bore you with the details about his problems at the moment. However I am warning you know, do not get involved in the group politics. If Squall and Rinoa are not speaking, don't try to get them to..." Edea trailed away, her musical voice gentle, but commanding.

"How soon before I can go home?" I asked. Edea frowned and clasped her hands in her lap.

"I do not believe you will be able to return home. It is hard to say whether Mr. Sakaguchi will allow it. I am not certain about all the technicalities of you're intervention here. Concentrate on doing whatever it is you wish to do in the world of Final Fantasy VIII," She gestured to the digital blackboard. It sprang to life.

"You'll need to pretend to be a normal student. I will make sure that all your classes, up until your exam, are with forgiving Instructors," She didn't wait for me to ask my questions, but carried on explaining. I wanted her to stop, so I could ask her why I was here, but she wouldn't pause.

"I would try to attain SeeDship, then perhaps work towards an Instructor's License. Or if you wish to travel, you could work as a freelance mercenery. Or maybe you'll wish to choose a SeeD partner and go on missions with them. It is your choice," She stood up. I opened my mouth but she was walking away again. At the door she turned.

"I know you have questions, but I have no answers. Good day Miss Dove," She disappeared through the door. I stood there shaking for a second, before pulling myself together.

On the board there was one word.

"Home"