Hey. everyone! I am SO sorry I haven't updated lately. Not only did I get
writer's block, but I didn't get many reviews to motivate me to write. The
story WILL be completed, but in order to do that, I need to get some
reviews. As soon as I get at least two or three in the next few days after
updating, I will start on the next chapter, but there isn't much of a point
if no-one reads and reviews my story, eh? The updates will be much more
speedy, btw and the story is only going to get better.
Chapter 4: Had Enough
'Perfect,' Quistis said aloud as she added the final touches to her flat for the party. There were cocktails out, crackers and dip, a bit of finger-food, and the candles were lit. The guests would be arriving in fifteen minutes- great timing. Meanwhile, she would sit down and wait, maybe watch a little T.V. Fifteen minutes passed, and no one had shown up. They're probably just a little bit late Quistis decided. Fifteen more minutes passed, and still no one had come, but Quistis kept re-assuring herself that they would. Minutes soon turned into hours, but still Quistis waited. Maybe they'd been held up. She was sure they would have a good explanation for this. Quistis sighed and switched off the T.V. The candles had gone out ages ago, and the finger-food was cold. She finally decided that they weren't coming and changed out of the nice new top she'd bought at the markets and slipped into bed. Before turning out the light she checked the clock that rested on her bedside table- 12:05am. She couldn't believe that her friends had forgotten her birthday- Quistis could only imagine what they were saying 'It's only Quistis- I'm enjoying the party too much. She'll get over it; she always does.' But Quistis was hurt. She blinked away a tear and rolled over. Quistis had never been more lonely in her life. 'Happy nineteenth birthday, Quistis.' she whispered before yielding to the flow of tears that she knew only too well.
'Shit!' Quistis leaped out of bed and yanked open the blinds. Today was not a good day, she decided. She slept in so that meant she couldn't eat breakfast. Throwing on her battle outfit and swiftly putting her clip in her hair, Quistis stormed out of the door and wondered why it was that all her students were sticking to the opposite side of the halls today. She had classes...she went over everything she had to do but was interrupted by a message on the loudpeakers Ding 'Could Quistis Trepe please report to Headmaster Cid's office immediately. I repeat: Could Quistis Trepe please report to Headfmaster Cid's office immediately. Ding Dammit, what now? Quistis grumbled as she got on the lift and took it up to the third floor, half scaring the boy who wanted to get off at the second floor for classes along the way. Geting, out, she seemingly stomped into Cid's office where she was greeted by an un-expected surprise. 'Matron...what are you doing here?' Edea turned around and gestured for her to take a seat. Cid was staring out of the window. 'I thought you were re-constructing the orphanage?' 'I was, dear, but I found something that I feel I must tell you about.' Edea sat down in the chair next to hers. 'Whilst clearing away all the debris at the orphanage, I un-covered some records that had been lost for quite some time.' she paused, 'One of them were some birth certificates that I had accidentally placed into the wrong file. This one was yours.' Edea smiled nervously and Cid went and took a seat at his desk, opening a drawer. He pushed somehing across to Quistis who just stared at it. Then, ever so slowly, she reached out a hand and turned it over. It read:
Given Name: Quistis Surname: Alamandier Date of Birth: 16/ 3 Place of Birth: Saint Margaret's Hospital o Esthar Mother's Full Name: Gaiel Alamandier Father's Full Name: Demetrius Alamandier
That was all there was, for the document had been torn at the bottom. Quistis just stared numbly at it. 'We searched the records at Esthar, and it has been proven that there was a birth on this date and that your true parents really did exist. They were both citizens of Esthar. This means that we know who your parents are, and your exact date of birth which is about seven months earlier than your previous one. I remembered finding it when it was tucked into your basket that was left on my doorstep, but then it got lost. I found another with the name ripped so I couldn't read it, and was positive it was yours, but all these years and I was never sure. Quistis, say something.' Quistis didn't reply, but just walked out of the office. All the way to the elevator she could hear Edea sobbing softly, but it didn't touch her now torn-in-two heart. The bell rang for end of classes- she'd been in there an hour without even realising it. Students rushed around her, eager to be the frist to the bubblers, or preparing for next class. She wondered who'd taken her class, then they all left again, leaving Quistis upset in a corner. How long passed, Quistis had no idea. Suddenly her mobile phone beeped- it was time to go to lunch with Selphie and Rinoa. She just sat there. She didn't want to go, but maybe they could let her know why they hadn't turned up the night before to her birthday party.
The atmosphere on the beach was beautiful, tranquil. There was that old man fishing again, with his dog. Quistis could hear faint harp music wafting down from above her. She looked up at the beach cafe on stilts abover her. She could see the back of Rinoa's hair as she ascended the stairs up to reach the cafe entrance. Rinoa had grabbed a seat outside overlooking the beach, near the harpist, out in the open. Mellow tones soothed her, but hardly quenched her anger and confusion. She walked over and dropped into the seat opposite Rinoa and didn't say anything, but just fiddled with the little packets of sweetener in the centre of the table. 'Hey, Quistis,' Rinoa greeted her, pushing a few strands of hair out of her face. 'How was the party last night? Sorry I didn't go. Squall was having car troubles, and we kinda ended up with me checking out Squall's gears, if you get what I mean.' she giggled a little bit and ran a finely manicured finger down the menu. 'Tell me, Rinoa, how can you have a party without guests?' Quistis asked, sarcasm dripping over her voice. Rinoa looked up at her strangely. 'What do you mean?' she asked almost innocently and raised a skeptiacal eyebrow. 'I was sure Irvine, Selphie and Zell were going.' 'Hey, maybe they had car troubles as well.' Quistis replied and sat back in her chair. 'Where's Selphie?' 'She's going to be late. She had to run some errands. Quistis, why are you being so bitchy to me? What have I done? I mean, c'mon- it's just a party. Who cares?' Quistis was just about to respond when a waiter came up and asked their order. Rinoa ordered a 'usual please' and Quistis ordered an iced tea. As soon as the waiter left, Rinoa leaned forward. 'Is it because of what Matron told you that your upset?' she asked. Quistis bolted up straight, her eyes flashing. 'You knew? How did you find out? That's my personal business! Who told you?' Rinoa looked slightly startled. 'Well...Matron told me yesterday morning.' she said. 'What!' Quistis practically shouted, causing a few heads to turn her way. 'That's my business! Why didn't somone tell me? Now you've been keeping secrets from me? I thought we were friends, but friends don't go nosing into other people's business!' A seagull that had been resting on the railing flew away just as someone else approached their table: Selphie. 'Hey, Quistis!' she slid into the seat next to her. 'Isn't this cafe great? I love it! Near the beach...cute waiter guys to perve on in their little cafe uniforms...ooh! That one's hot! His name is Dean!' She nodded towards the one who was approaching their table with their orders. Selphie beamed up at him, who smiled shyly at her. 'Hi, Selphie...what can I get you?' Dean asked. Selphie twirled a few strands of hair around her little finger. 'Let me see...I'll have the small ceasar salad and a lemon squash.' Dean smiled again and left. 'So, what's up?' Selphie grinned, then her face looked worried. 'Quisty, what's wrong?' Quistis looked Rinoa in the eye for a few seconds then turned her attention to Selphie. 'Selph, did Matron have a little chat with you lately...something to do with me?' Rinoa started shaking her head behind Quistis, but Selphie didn't see. 'Yeah, did she tell you? Isn't this great! Maybe your parents are still alive!' she squeaked out, then wondered why Quistis was fuming. 'Selphie- how could you not tell me!' she boomed at the petite brunette sitting opposite her. 'I can't believe this! And another thing, whilst Rinoa was 'checking Squall's gears' last night, where were you?' Selphie reddenned. 'I'm sorry Quistis. I just forgot. I was dancing with Dean last night, and I didn't realise. Then I checkd my watch, and it was eleven so I thought it was a bit late. Irvine said not to worry about it. C'mon- it's just a party.' 'So now you think I'm over-reacting?' It was Rinoa this time who spoke up. 'Quistis, you just gotta get over things and not be so uptight. It's not the end of the world, you know. There's no need to cry over spilt milk.' she snickered slightly. 'Yeah, but it's the end of my world. You guys don't care to show up to my first birthday party in four years, act like it doesn't matter 'It's just Quistis- she'll get over it.'. Well, did it ever occur to you that I might just care?' Rinoa and Selphie sat there, dumbfounded. 'My world as I know it has just fallen apart, and I don't even know who I am anymore? Some friends you are!' Rinoa's eyes narrowed. 'Maybe if you weren't such an up-tight bitch, people might just want to come to your party.' she retorted, tossing her head. Quistis just sat there as though someone had struck her in the face. 'Fine, then.' she shot back. 'I guess if that's the case, I'll leave. Who wants to be friends with the Ice Queen anyway?' she asked as she gathered up her things. 'Quisty, please stay,' Selphie was almost crying. 'I can see when I'm not wanted,' was Quistis' reply as she stood up, looking Rinoa in the eye the whole time. 'Hey, who knows? Maybe you can go crying to your Mommy now that you've found her' Rinoa added slyly. 'Fuck you, Rinoa, and stay the fuck out of my life!' Quistis yelled and stormed down the stairs onto the sand. She just ran, ignoring the tears that flowed down her face. She just managed to avoid the fisherman's dog as he ran up to her, but tripped and sat in the sand, the tide ebbing in and out around her where she sat lonely and forlorn, hating 'that bitch Rinoa' till her thoughts were interrupted by someone's shadow on her. She looked up at the fisherman. 'You alright there, dear?' he asked. He had a husky voice and a weatherbeaten face, but his eyes were kind and compassionate. Quistis wiped her eyes and looked up at him. 'I don't think so. Today is just a bad day,' she replioe. I don't think so? God, what am I? 'Your world has fallen apart, hasn't it?' the old man murmured. Quistis nodded, dumbfounded, expecting the man to say more, but he just looked out to the sea. 'Sometimes there's hope. You just have to make it real.' And with that he cast his line into the blue, and stood there watching the ocean breathe in and out, sighing upon the sand. She stood up, her battle outfit now muddy and caked with sand. She looked up towards the cafe, and could just make out two figures she rcognised as Selphie's and Rinoa's. Selphie was yelling at Rinoa, Quistis could tell, and Rinoa was yelling back. Then Selphie grabbed her stuff and left, Dean trailing uncertainly after her. Quistis could hear Selphie calling her, looking for her, but all she did was walk away, back to her dorm, angry tears threatening to spring up again.
Quistis threw the door to her appartment open and stormed inside, slamming the door behind her. She grabbed her suitcase from under her bed and immediately threw everything into it. There wasn't much, since all she had was mostly battle uniforms, so packing was light. In went casual clothes, food from her pantry etc. Her emergency money, wallet, personal belongings and she was nearly done. Looking around her almost empty dorm, Quistis wondered if she was doing this right. She immediately pushed the thoughts out of her mind and grabbed the Garden account credit card. She'd been told only to use it for emergencies...but if she was leaving, then who cared? It had basically unlimited gil on it anyway. Grab her Save the Queen, car keys and she was nearly done. Nearly...her eyes scanned the room where they came to rest on a photo.It was lying where she'd left it, and Quistis walked over and picked it up, srtoking the faces with a finger. A tear rolled down her cheek, and she put it in her now-full suitcase. After hastilly scribbling a note, Quistis shut the door to her Instructor's dorm and locked it. Garden Faculty would open it eventually. She took out her Instructor's licend out of her wallet and slipped it underneath the door before turning and walking down the corridors to the Instructor's parking lot, not even looking back once...
Esthar city was different from when Quistis had last been there. The council had put in parks and gardens that looked magnificent against the sparkling blue. The newly constructed underground highway meant Quistis got there without the use of the Ragnarok, so no one would realise she was gone for a while. Quistis parked her car and got out. She'd changed into different clothes so that she wouldn't be recognised and walked towards the City Centre. My, how Esthar was changed! They now had a new chapel, Town Hall, and a new Hotel as well as quite a number of nightclubs with foreign writing on them. Quistis gripped her credit card and walked in. The place was stylish, and Quistis felt a little out-of-place in it. She walked up to the front desk and booked a single room. Then went back for her suitcases and settled in. Quistis opened her wallet and looked inside. 'Lucky I withdrew some money the other day she thought to herself as she fingered the gil gingerely, but nowhere near enough to rent a house, and I won't have much on my credit-card either. Suddenly crumpling under the weight of her decisions, Quistis slid to the floor. If she used the Garden credit card, they would certainly track her. Now what? A tear slid down Quistis' face and she wiped it away angrily. The days events played through her mind like a broken CD. All she could hear were Rinoa's taunts, the sound of the birth certificate sliding towards her, the pressure of overworking. All she wanted to do now was sleep...she was tired physically and emotionally...sleep....she didn't change out of her battle uniform, but crawled into bed and lay her puffy face against the pillow. Tomorrow she would sort everything out. Tomorrow...not today...everything would be better tomorrow...maybe someone would start to care. Who cared? No one...Quistis pulled the blanket around her body and closed her eyes, instantly falling asleep.
'Quistis!' Selphie was geting impatient as she knocked repeatedly on Quistis' door. 'C'mon Quisty, open up!' No answer. 'Quisty, I'm sorry! Please open up, it's after curfew and Garden Faculty are going to find me- shit! Here comes one! Quistis, if you don't open the door I'm gonna hafta say your gone, and Faculty will open the door with their masterkey!' Still no answer. Along came on of the members of the Garden Faculty. 'Excuse me, miss. It's now curfew-' 'I know!' squeaked Selphie, 'but my friend is gone! She's not anywhere and I must see if she's in her room!' It took about five minutes of debating and persuasion till the Garden Faculty Member relented and tried the masterkey. The door swung open into an empty appartement. She wasn't anywhere, and neither was any of her stuff. 'Oh, nooo!' Selphie collapsed onto the ground. The Faculty spoke in his deadpanned voice: 'I will notify Headmaster immediately' and scurried off. Selphie slouched near the door in a daze, but was distracted by a glitter in the corner of her eye. There, resting on the black and white carpet was an Instructor's license. Selphie looked down at the name printed boldly on the blue shimmering plastic and burst into tears, and rested the card on her knee. 'Come back to us, Quisty,' she whispered, staring down at her best friend's ID photo.
'Go away!' Seifer groaned as the knocking on his door got louder. 'Almasy, this is Headmaster Cid. Would you please open the door?' Groaning, Seifer got up and walked over to the door, clad only in a pair of black boxers. Yawning, he opened it, admitting the Headmaster and Squall. 'What do you want?' he yawned again. Squall gave Headmaster one of those looks and turned his back on Seifer. Cid shook his head and stepped forward. 'Almasy, I have a mission for you.' he said simply. 'A mission? But I'm not even a Puma,' he frowned, 'let alone a SeeD.' He was confused, clearly. Cid went on. 'Instructor Quistis Trepe is missing from her room and Garden. There has been a search, but she hasn't been found. Squall insists that I send someone of his choice, but I've decided to send you. Despite that you're not a SeeD, we are still requesting that you go on this mission for us. It would look good for when you become a Puma.' Seifer couldn't believe his ears. No way thins was happening! 'When I become a Puma? But Squall...' 'I've decided to have you on the force on account of your fighting skills, and that you have had the training for this mission. Your detective skills need work- particularly your attitude!' Squall enjoyed plucking out one of Seifer's weaknesses, 'But, should you complete this mission, you will become a Puma.' 'That's got to be just about the longest sentence I've hear from you at one time.' Seifer commented, ignoring Squall's glare and turning to the Headmaster. 'So, tell me the details of this mission- I accept it...'
'Now, this mission is top secret from the very second you leave Garden. We don't want Quistis to be embarrassed by the situation. She is bound by contract to Garden for another 6 months, which will be a good excuse to bring her back home to us.' Cid walked over to the window and looked out over his beloved Garden. Squall was hunched in an armchair quesstioning Selphie whos words were barely audible for the sobs that coursed through her. Irvine sat next to her, holding her hand, and helping to calm her down and soothe her aching head by wiping a damp cloth over her forehead. The wailing of the 'Trepies' could be heard from the second floor as they moped about in her classroom. Seifer adjusted the collar of his trenchcoat and looked over to where Squall was staring daggers at him, giving back one of his own, exceptionally icy ones, especially reserved for Squall, then turned away to convey the scene he was caught up in. Edea wasn't even present, but he could tell she would, too, be upset. Rinoa was sitting on Cid's desk, arms crossed, fuming as she listened to every detail in Selphie's testimony of what had happened. Objecting every once in a while, even thought she knew it was useless. Selphie was only telling the truth, though to Rinoa it was as if she was stretching it. Zell just kept on shooting Rinoa nasty looks. Cid stirred over in the corner and pulled Seifer next to him. 'She will be discouraged when she sees you, but you musn't press her too hard. She is delicate at the moment, and will most likely not respond to you, which is why you must prove yourself to her.' Cid pinched the bridge of his nose and adjusted his glasses. Seifer looked out over the quad. 'Headmaster, there are many people here who hate me, even in this room most of them do not believe I will bring her back. They are wondering why it is that you are sending me along.' He didn't want to push his luck, but he still wanted to know. He looked at the Headmaster. 'Because I know you can do it better that anyone else in this room can,'was the cool reply that knocked hard at Seifer. He nodded then watched as Cid opened the drawer in his desk and pulled out a piece of yellowing paper, and then closed the door. Seifer looked down at it, eyes widening in surprise. No way... He barely heard Cid's 'This may help...' over the thud in his chest. Quistis...was 17? Her parents were still alive? She was an Alamandier? Cid coughed into his fist. 'We believe the father is dead...but, of the mother's existence...we are not so sure.' The silence that enveloped them after was broken by another hiccupped sob from Selphie. Seifer felt sorry for her. She looked so pathetic, unable to control her broken words. 'Find her,' she pleaded with him, before turning to cry into Irvine's chest. Everyone in the room looked at him. Seifer felt suffocated under the weight of this promise he was about to make. He cleared his throat. 'I will.' At least it shattered the silence, but it came back even worse and hung there as he tucked the certificate into his coat and walked out, grabbing a contacter off the shelf on his way out.
A loud knock at the door roused Quistis from her sleep. 'Room service,' called a male voice. Quistis rubbed her eyes and got out of her bed, tripping over her suitcases as she went and then opened the door to admit a man pushing a trolley containing the breakfast basket as well as other necessities. Quistis muttered a 'thankyou' as he left, before rummaging through the linen cupboard for some towels, and dug out her toiletries bag from her suitcase. 'A shower...that's just what I need...' she murmured as she peeled off her now quite dirty battle uniform and stepped under the warm water and closed her eyes. Yesterday's memories weren't really affecting her anymore, she realised as she reached for her bodywash. At least now she wasn't crying about it, just hurting. She went over her mental 'to do list' of what had to be seen to today. Organise a house...get a job...find my Mother...she smiled at the thought of meeting her. What would she be like? Quistis wondered if it was possible to find her, even now. Somehow, she had a bad feeling that she wouldn't, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to try. After washing her hair, Quistis stepped out of the shower. She found her mind wandering to Garden. Had they discovered she was gone yet? She pulled on some jeans and a grey top, then swiftly clipped up her hair and ate her breakfast of fruit and croissants before heading down to the parking lot to find a house.
Meanwhile, Seifer was pacing up and down one of the private SeeD carriages in the train impatiently. A message came over the intercom: 'Passengers, we are now at phase ten of ten in our journey and will be arriving in Esthar shortly. Please be seated as the train pulls in. Thankyou.' Seifer took a seat on the plush couch as he watched the dark tunnel emerge into light and the train gradually slowed down, then walked over to the entrance and got off. Back in Esthar, but where to start? People milled around him, bumping into him. A boy stepped in front of him, and Seifer glared at him until he moved out of his way. Smirking to himself (still got it, man), he adjusted his grip on his small duffel bag as he hailed an Esthar taxi. Sliding into the back, he muttered 'To the nearest hotel, thanks,' and then looked out the window at Esthar. Esthar was now quite a city. They'd put in tropical gardens and more shops, cafes and nightclubs. The cab turned into another street to reveal a gleaming, glittering new chapel. Seifer reached into his pocket to pull out a Garden issued wallet, complete with fake I.D. and an unlimited Gil credit card. As the cab driver stopped the car, Seifer swiped the card and got out. He walked over to the new hotel and entered through the large double-doors. The young receptionist looked up as he came in and flustered over her hair slightly. Seifer dumped the bag near the desk and booked a room. As soon as he'd settled in, he got onto the contactor to Cid. 'Hedmaster Cid, are you there?' he asked. Suddenly he heard a squeal from Selphie and someone hurriedly switched on the screen. Cid's tired and weary face flickered onto the screen. 'Headmaster,' Seifer spoke, 'I've arrived in Esthar, and have booked a room in a hotel. I will start searching for Quistis in about an hour.' Selphie's tearstained face moved in next to Cid's exhausted one. 'Have you heard of her yet?' she asked anxiously. 'I haven't even started looking for her, yet.' Seifer replied. It was unnerving seeing Selphie so distraught. Selphie was pushed aside and Rinoa appeared. Seifer frowned at her. 'When you find her,' Rinoa began, but Seifer already knew what she was going to say. Clearly, she felt bad about the insults she had hurled at Quistis. He nodded a yes and she moved away to allow Squall to talk. It was obvious he didn't trust Seifer at all reguarding this mission, but he wasn't one to go against what Cid decided, even if he was more powerful. 'We have now activated the tracking device in the contactor, so that we know where you are at all times,' He said it as though Seifer was going to shirk the whole thing, 'And you are to report all information you gather back to us.' It was all Seifer could do not to roll his eyes at the way Squall always handled things. What was he going to do? Forget everything? Or maybe sabotage it all? He kept these remarks to himself and simply nodded, unable to keep the hint of a smirk off his face. Squall frowned then cleared his throat. 'Have you tried her mobile yet?' he asked. Seifer shook his head. 'I think I'll wait until she's settled in a bit 'till I try it. I don't want her dis-connecting it if I call her.' Squall nodded slowly then said something to Cid that Seifer didn't quite catch. 'We tracked her Garden credit card, and we're definite she's in Esthar- she withdrew 15 000 G about an hour ago, most likely to purchase a house. We were hoping she'd swipe it, but she's much smarter than that. We've cut off the card, as well. We're not as 'Unlimited' as she thinks we are. In fact, we're kind of low on money at the moment.' Squall put a lot of emphasis on this last comment, and Seifer gritted his teeth. 'Oh, don't worry, Puberty Boy, I won't go hiring too many strippers.' and with that he smirked and dis-connected.
Phew! Was that long!!!!!!!! 4, 793 words!!!!! Given that you click that widdle purple button down the bottom (no, it won't bombard you with pornographic sites, I promise) the updates will be much more speedy, btw and the story is only going to get better. I'm only getting started! Be prepared, my beloved readers for angst, romance, heaps of mega-cool twists, interaction with the cast from Final Fantasy and, of course, a deep, Vanilla Sky.
Chapter 4: Had Enough
'Perfect,' Quistis said aloud as she added the final touches to her flat for the party. There were cocktails out, crackers and dip, a bit of finger-food, and the candles were lit. The guests would be arriving in fifteen minutes- great timing. Meanwhile, she would sit down and wait, maybe watch a little T.V. Fifteen minutes passed, and no one had shown up. They're probably just a little bit late Quistis decided. Fifteen more minutes passed, and still no one had come, but Quistis kept re-assuring herself that they would. Minutes soon turned into hours, but still Quistis waited. Maybe they'd been held up. She was sure they would have a good explanation for this. Quistis sighed and switched off the T.V. The candles had gone out ages ago, and the finger-food was cold. She finally decided that they weren't coming and changed out of the nice new top she'd bought at the markets and slipped into bed. Before turning out the light she checked the clock that rested on her bedside table- 12:05am. She couldn't believe that her friends had forgotten her birthday- Quistis could only imagine what they were saying 'It's only Quistis- I'm enjoying the party too much. She'll get over it; she always does.' But Quistis was hurt. She blinked away a tear and rolled over. Quistis had never been more lonely in her life. 'Happy nineteenth birthday, Quistis.' she whispered before yielding to the flow of tears that she knew only too well.
'Shit!' Quistis leaped out of bed and yanked open the blinds. Today was not a good day, she decided. She slept in so that meant she couldn't eat breakfast. Throwing on her battle outfit and swiftly putting her clip in her hair, Quistis stormed out of the door and wondered why it was that all her students were sticking to the opposite side of the halls today. She had classes...she went over everything she had to do but was interrupted by a message on the loudpeakers Ding 'Could Quistis Trepe please report to Headmaster Cid's office immediately. I repeat: Could Quistis Trepe please report to Headfmaster Cid's office immediately. Ding Dammit, what now? Quistis grumbled as she got on the lift and took it up to the third floor, half scaring the boy who wanted to get off at the second floor for classes along the way. Geting, out, she seemingly stomped into Cid's office where she was greeted by an un-expected surprise. 'Matron...what are you doing here?' Edea turned around and gestured for her to take a seat. Cid was staring out of the window. 'I thought you were re-constructing the orphanage?' 'I was, dear, but I found something that I feel I must tell you about.' Edea sat down in the chair next to hers. 'Whilst clearing away all the debris at the orphanage, I un-covered some records that had been lost for quite some time.' she paused, 'One of them were some birth certificates that I had accidentally placed into the wrong file. This one was yours.' Edea smiled nervously and Cid went and took a seat at his desk, opening a drawer. He pushed somehing across to Quistis who just stared at it. Then, ever so slowly, she reached out a hand and turned it over. It read:
Given Name: Quistis Surname: Alamandier Date of Birth: 16/ 3 Place of Birth: Saint Margaret's Hospital o Esthar Mother's Full Name: Gaiel Alamandier Father's Full Name: Demetrius Alamandier
That was all there was, for the document had been torn at the bottom. Quistis just stared numbly at it. 'We searched the records at Esthar, and it has been proven that there was a birth on this date and that your true parents really did exist. They were both citizens of Esthar. This means that we know who your parents are, and your exact date of birth which is about seven months earlier than your previous one. I remembered finding it when it was tucked into your basket that was left on my doorstep, but then it got lost. I found another with the name ripped so I couldn't read it, and was positive it was yours, but all these years and I was never sure. Quistis, say something.' Quistis didn't reply, but just walked out of the office. All the way to the elevator she could hear Edea sobbing softly, but it didn't touch her now torn-in-two heart. The bell rang for end of classes- she'd been in there an hour without even realising it. Students rushed around her, eager to be the frist to the bubblers, or preparing for next class. She wondered who'd taken her class, then they all left again, leaving Quistis upset in a corner. How long passed, Quistis had no idea. Suddenly her mobile phone beeped- it was time to go to lunch with Selphie and Rinoa. She just sat there. She didn't want to go, but maybe they could let her know why they hadn't turned up the night before to her birthday party.
The atmosphere on the beach was beautiful, tranquil. There was that old man fishing again, with his dog. Quistis could hear faint harp music wafting down from above her. She looked up at the beach cafe on stilts abover her. She could see the back of Rinoa's hair as she ascended the stairs up to reach the cafe entrance. Rinoa had grabbed a seat outside overlooking the beach, near the harpist, out in the open. Mellow tones soothed her, but hardly quenched her anger and confusion. She walked over and dropped into the seat opposite Rinoa and didn't say anything, but just fiddled with the little packets of sweetener in the centre of the table. 'Hey, Quistis,' Rinoa greeted her, pushing a few strands of hair out of her face. 'How was the party last night? Sorry I didn't go. Squall was having car troubles, and we kinda ended up with me checking out Squall's gears, if you get what I mean.' she giggled a little bit and ran a finely manicured finger down the menu. 'Tell me, Rinoa, how can you have a party without guests?' Quistis asked, sarcasm dripping over her voice. Rinoa looked up at her strangely. 'What do you mean?' she asked almost innocently and raised a skeptiacal eyebrow. 'I was sure Irvine, Selphie and Zell were going.' 'Hey, maybe they had car troubles as well.' Quistis replied and sat back in her chair. 'Where's Selphie?' 'She's going to be late. She had to run some errands. Quistis, why are you being so bitchy to me? What have I done? I mean, c'mon- it's just a party. Who cares?' Quistis was just about to respond when a waiter came up and asked their order. Rinoa ordered a 'usual please' and Quistis ordered an iced tea. As soon as the waiter left, Rinoa leaned forward. 'Is it because of what Matron told you that your upset?' she asked. Quistis bolted up straight, her eyes flashing. 'You knew? How did you find out? That's my personal business! Who told you?' Rinoa looked slightly startled. 'Well...Matron told me yesterday morning.' she said. 'What!' Quistis practically shouted, causing a few heads to turn her way. 'That's my business! Why didn't somone tell me? Now you've been keeping secrets from me? I thought we were friends, but friends don't go nosing into other people's business!' A seagull that had been resting on the railing flew away just as someone else approached their table: Selphie. 'Hey, Quistis!' she slid into the seat next to her. 'Isn't this cafe great? I love it! Near the beach...cute waiter guys to perve on in their little cafe uniforms...ooh! That one's hot! His name is Dean!' She nodded towards the one who was approaching their table with their orders. Selphie beamed up at him, who smiled shyly at her. 'Hi, Selphie...what can I get you?' Dean asked. Selphie twirled a few strands of hair around her little finger. 'Let me see...I'll have the small ceasar salad and a lemon squash.' Dean smiled again and left. 'So, what's up?' Selphie grinned, then her face looked worried. 'Quisty, what's wrong?' Quistis looked Rinoa in the eye for a few seconds then turned her attention to Selphie. 'Selph, did Matron have a little chat with you lately...something to do with me?' Rinoa started shaking her head behind Quistis, but Selphie didn't see. 'Yeah, did she tell you? Isn't this great! Maybe your parents are still alive!' she squeaked out, then wondered why Quistis was fuming. 'Selphie- how could you not tell me!' she boomed at the petite brunette sitting opposite her. 'I can't believe this! And another thing, whilst Rinoa was 'checking Squall's gears' last night, where were you?' Selphie reddenned. 'I'm sorry Quistis. I just forgot. I was dancing with Dean last night, and I didn't realise. Then I checkd my watch, and it was eleven so I thought it was a bit late. Irvine said not to worry about it. C'mon- it's just a party.' 'So now you think I'm over-reacting?' It was Rinoa this time who spoke up. 'Quistis, you just gotta get over things and not be so uptight. It's not the end of the world, you know. There's no need to cry over spilt milk.' she snickered slightly. 'Yeah, but it's the end of my world. You guys don't care to show up to my first birthday party in four years, act like it doesn't matter 'It's just Quistis- she'll get over it.'. Well, did it ever occur to you that I might just care?' Rinoa and Selphie sat there, dumbfounded. 'My world as I know it has just fallen apart, and I don't even know who I am anymore? Some friends you are!' Rinoa's eyes narrowed. 'Maybe if you weren't such an up-tight bitch, people might just want to come to your party.' she retorted, tossing her head. Quistis just sat there as though someone had struck her in the face. 'Fine, then.' she shot back. 'I guess if that's the case, I'll leave. Who wants to be friends with the Ice Queen anyway?' she asked as she gathered up her things. 'Quisty, please stay,' Selphie was almost crying. 'I can see when I'm not wanted,' was Quistis' reply as she stood up, looking Rinoa in the eye the whole time. 'Hey, who knows? Maybe you can go crying to your Mommy now that you've found her' Rinoa added slyly. 'Fuck you, Rinoa, and stay the fuck out of my life!' Quistis yelled and stormed down the stairs onto the sand. She just ran, ignoring the tears that flowed down her face. She just managed to avoid the fisherman's dog as he ran up to her, but tripped and sat in the sand, the tide ebbing in and out around her where she sat lonely and forlorn, hating 'that bitch Rinoa' till her thoughts were interrupted by someone's shadow on her. She looked up at the fisherman. 'You alright there, dear?' he asked. He had a husky voice and a weatherbeaten face, but his eyes were kind and compassionate. Quistis wiped her eyes and looked up at him. 'I don't think so. Today is just a bad day,' she replioe. I don't think so? God, what am I? 'Your world has fallen apart, hasn't it?' the old man murmured. Quistis nodded, dumbfounded, expecting the man to say more, but he just looked out to the sea. 'Sometimes there's hope. You just have to make it real.' And with that he cast his line into the blue, and stood there watching the ocean breathe in and out, sighing upon the sand. She stood up, her battle outfit now muddy and caked with sand. She looked up towards the cafe, and could just make out two figures she rcognised as Selphie's and Rinoa's. Selphie was yelling at Rinoa, Quistis could tell, and Rinoa was yelling back. Then Selphie grabbed her stuff and left, Dean trailing uncertainly after her. Quistis could hear Selphie calling her, looking for her, but all she did was walk away, back to her dorm, angry tears threatening to spring up again.
Quistis threw the door to her appartment open and stormed inside, slamming the door behind her. She grabbed her suitcase from under her bed and immediately threw everything into it. There wasn't much, since all she had was mostly battle uniforms, so packing was light. In went casual clothes, food from her pantry etc. Her emergency money, wallet, personal belongings and she was nearly done. Looking around her almost empty dorm, Quistis wondered if she was doing this right. She immediately pushed the thoughts out of her mind and grabbed the Garden account credit card. She'd been told only to use it for emergencies...but if she was leaving, then who cared? It had basically unlimited gil on it anyway. Grab her Save the Queen, car keys and she was nearly done. Nearly...her eyes scanned the room where they came to rest on a photo.It was lying where she'd left it, and Quistis walked over and picked it up, srtoking the faces with a finger. A tear rolled down her cheek, and she put it in her now-full suitcase. After hastilly scribbling a note, Quistis shut the door to her Instructor's dorm and locked it. Garden Faculty would open it eventually. She took out her Instructor's licend out of her wallet and slipped it underneath the door before turning and walking down the corridors to the Instructor's parking lot, not even looking back once...
Esthar city was different from when Quistis had last been there. The council had put in parks and gardens that looked magnificent against the sparkling blue. The newly constructed underground highway meant Quistis got there without the use of the Ragnarok, so no one would realise she was gone for a while. Quistis parked her car and got out. She'd changed into different clothes so that she wouldn't be recognised and walked towards the City Centre. My, how Esthar was changed! They now had a new chapel, Town Hall, and a new Hotel as well as quite a number of nightclubs with foreign writing on them. Quistis gripped her credit card and walked in. The place was stylish, and Quistis felt a little out-of-place in it. She walked up to the front desk and booked a single room. Then went back for her suitcases and settled in. Quistis opened her wallet and looked inside. 'Lucky I withdrew some money the other day she thought to herself as she fingered the gil gingerely, but nowhere near enough to rent a house, and I won't have much on my credit-card either. Suddenly crumpling under the weight of her decisions, Quistis slid to the floor. If she used the Garden credit card, they would certainly track her. Now what? A tear slid down Quistis' face and she wiped it away angrily. The days events played through her mind like a broken CD. All she could hear were Rinoa's taunts, the sound of the birth certificate sliding towards her, the pressure of overworking. All she wanted to do now was sleep...she was tired physically and emotionally...sleep....she didn't change out of her battle uniform, but crawled into bed and lay her puffy face against the pillow. Tomorrow she would sort everything out. Tomorrow...not today...everything would be better tomorrow...maybe someone would start to care. Who cared? No one...Quistis pulled the blanket around her body and closed her eyes, instantly falling asleep.
'Quistis!' Selphie was geting impatient as she knocked repeatedly on Quistis' door. 'C'mon Quisty, open up!' No answer. 'Quisty, I'm sorry! Please open up, it's after curfew and Garden Faculty are going to find me- shit! Here comes one! Quistis, if you don't open the door I'm gonna hafta say your gone, and Faculty will open the door with their masterkey!' Still no answer. Along came on of the members of the Garden Faculty. 'Excuse me, miss. It's now curfew-' 'I know!' squeaked Selphie, 'but my friend is gone! She's not anywhere and I must see if she's in her room!' It took about five minutes of debating and persuasion till the Garden Faculty Member relented and tried the masterkey. The door swung open into an empty appartement. She wasn't anywhere, and neither was any of her stuff. 'Oh, nooo!' Selphie collapsed onto the ground. The Faculty spoke in his deadpanned voice: 'I will notify Headmaster immediately' and scurried off. Selphie slouched near the door in a daze, but was distracted by a glitter in the corner of her eye. There, resting on the black and white carpet was an Instructor's license. Selphie looked down at the name printed boldly on the blue shimmering plastic and burst into tears, and rested the card on her knee. 'Come back to us, Quisty,' she whispered, staring down at her best friend's ID photo.
'Go away!' Seifer groaned as the knocking on his door got louder. 'Almasy, this is Headmaster Cid. Would you please open the door?' Groaning, Seifer got up and walked over to the door, clad only in a pair of black boxers. Yawning, he opened it, admitting the Headmaster and Squall. 'What do you want?' he yawned again. Squall gave Headmaster one of those looks and turned his back on Seifer. Cid shook his head and stepped forward. 'Almasy, I have a mission for you.' he said simply. 'A mission? But I'm not even a Puma,' he frowned, 'let alone a SeeD.' He was confused, clearly. Cid went on. 'Instructor Quistis Trepe is missing from her room and Garden. There has been a search, but she hasn't been found. Squall insists that I send someone of his choice, but I've decided to send you. Despite that you're not a SeeD, we are still requesting that you go on this mission for us. It would look good for when you become a Puma.' Seifer couldn't believe his ears. No way thins was happening! 'When I become a Puma? But Squall...' 'I've decided to have you on the force on account of your fighting skills, and that you have had the training for this mission. Your detective skills need work- particularly your attitude!' Squall enjoyed plucking out one of Seifer's weaknesses, 'But, should you complete this mission, you will become a Puma.' 'That's got to be just about the longest sentence I've hear from you at one time.' Seifer commented, ignoring Squall's glare and turning to the Headmaster. 'So, tell me the details of this mission- I accept it...'
'Now, this mission is top secret from the very second you leave Garden. We don't want Quistis to be embarrassed by the situation. She is bound by contract to Garden for another 6 months, which will be a good excuse to bring her back home to us.' Cid walked over to the window and looked out over his beloved Garden. Squall was hunched in an armchair quesstioning Selphie whos words were barely audible for the sobs that coursed through her. Irvine sat next to her, holding her hand, and helping to calm her down and soothe her aching head by wiping a damp cloth over her forehead. The wailing of the 'Trepies' could be heard from the second floor as they moped about in her classroom. Seifer adjusted the collar of his trenchcoat and looked over to where Squall was staring daggers at him, giving back one of his own, exceptionally icy ones, especially reserved for Squall, then turned away to convey the scene he was caught up in. Edea wasn't even present, but he could tell she would, too, be upset. Rinoa was sitting on Cid's desk, arms crossed, fuming as she listened to every detail in Selphie's testimony of what had happened. Objecting every once in a while, even thought she knew it was useless. Selphie was only telling the truth, though to Rinoa it was as if she was stretching it. Zell just kept on shooting Rinoa nasty looks. Cid stirred over in the corner and pulled Seifer next to him. 'She will be discouraged when she sees you, but you musn't press her too hard. She is delicate at the moment, and will most likely not respond to you, which is why you must prove yourself to her.' Cid pinched the bridge of his nose and adjusted his glasses. Seifer looked out over the quad. 'Headmaster, there are many people here who hate me, even in this room most of them do not believe I will bring her back. They are wondering why it is that you are sending me along.' He didn't want to push his luck, but he still wanted to know. He looked at the Headmaster. 'Because I know you can do it better that anyone else in this room can,'was the cool reply that knocked hard at Seifer. He nodded then watched as Cid opened the drawer in his desk and pulled out a piece of yellowing paper, and then closed the door. Seifer looked down at it, eyes widening in surprise. No way... He barely heard Cid's 'This may help...' over the thud in his chest. Quistis...was 17? Her parents were still alive? She was an Alamandier? Cid coughed into his fist. 'We believe the father is dead...but, of the mother's existence...we are not so sure.' The silence that enveloped them after was broken by another hiccupped sob from Selphie. Seifer felt sorry for her. She looked so pathetic, unable to control her broken words. 'Find her,' she pleaded with him, before turning to cry into Irvine's chest. Everyone in the room looked at him. Seifer felt suffocated under the weight of this promise he was about to make. He cleared his throat. 'I will.' At least it shattered the silence, but it came back even worse and hung there as he tucked the certificate into his coat and walked out, grabbing a contacter off the shelf on his way out.
A loud knock at the door roused Quistis from her sleep. 'Room service,' called a male voice. Quistis rubbed her eyes and got out of her bed, tripping over her suitcases as she went and then opened the door to admit a man pushing a trolley containing the breakfast basket as well as other necessities. Quistis muttered a 'thankyou' as he left, before rummaging through the linen cupboard for some towels, and dug out her toiletries bag from her suitcase. 'A shower...that's just what I need...' she murmured as she peeled off her now quite dirty battle uniform and stepped under the warm water and closed her eyes. Yesterday's memories weren't really affecting her anymore, she realised as she reached for her bodywash. At least now she wasn't crying about it, just hurting. She went over her mental 'to do list' of what had to be seen to today. Organise a house...get a job...find my Mother...she smiled at the thought of meeting her. What would she be like? Quistis wondered if it was possible to find her, even now. Somehow, she had a bad feeling that she wouldn't, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to try. After washing her hair, Quistis stepped out of the shower. She found her mind wandering to Garden. Had they discovered she was gone yet? She pulled on some jeans and a grey top, then swiftly clipped up her hair and ate her breakfast of fruit and croissants before heading down to the parking lot to find a house.
Meanwhile, Seifer was pacing up and down one of the private SeeD carriages in the train impatiently. A message came over the intercom: 'Passengers, we are now at phase ten of ten in our journey and will be arriving in Esthar shortly. Please be seated as the train pulls in. Thankyou.' Seifer took a seat on the plush couch as he watched the dark tunnel emerge into light and the train gradually slowed down, then walked over to the entrance and got off. Back in Esthar, but where to start? People milled around him, bumping into him. A boy stepped in front of him, and Seifer glared at him until he moved out of his way. Smirking to himself (still got it, man), he adjusted his grip on his small duffel bag as he hailed an Esthar taxi. Sliding into the back, he muttered 'To the nearest hotel, thanks,' and then looked out the window at Esthar. Esthar was now quite a city. They'd put in tropical gardens and more shops, cafes and nightclubs. The cab turned into another street to reveal a gleaming, glittering new chapel. Seifer reached into his pocket to pull out a Garden issued wallet, complete with fake I.D. and an unlimited Gil credit card. As the cab driver stopped the car, Seifer swiped the card and got out. He walked over to the new hotel and entered through the large double-doors. The young receptionist looked up as he came in and flustered over her hair slightly. Seifer dumped the bag near the desk and booked a room. As soon as he'd settled in, he got onto the contactor to Cid. 'Hedmaster Cid, are you there?' he asked. Suddenly he heard a squeal from Selphie and someone hurriedly switched on the screen. Cid's tired and weary face flickered onto the screen. 'Headmaster,' Seifer spoke, 'I've arrived in Esthar, and have booked a room in a hotel. I will start searching for Quistis in about an hour.' Selphie's tearstained face moved in next to Cid's exhausted one. 'Have you heard of her yet?' she asked anxiously. 'I haven't even started looking for her, yet.' Seifer replied. It was unnerving seeing Selphie so distraught. Selphie was pushed aside and Rinoa appeared. Seifer frowned at her. 'When you find her,' Rinoa began, but Seifer already knew what she was going to say. Clearly, she felt bad about the insults she had hurled at Quistis. He nodded a yes and she moved away to allow Squall to talk. It was obvious he didn't trust Seifer at all reguarding this mission, but he wasn't one to go against what Cid decided, even if he was more powerful. 'We have now activated the tracking device in the contactor, so that we know where you are at all times,' He said it as though Seifer was going to shirk the whole thing, 'And you are to report all information you gather back to us.' It was all Seifer could do not to roll his eyes at the way Squall always handled things. What was he going to do? Forget everything? Or maybe sabotage it all? He kept these remarks to himself and simply nodded, unable to keep the hint of a smirk off his face. Squall frowned then cleared his throat. 'Have you tried her mobile yet?' he asked. Seifer shook his head. 'I think I'll wait until she's settled in a bit 'till I try it. I don't want her dis-connecting it if I call her.' Squall nodded slowly then said something to Cid that Seifer didn't quite catch. 'We tracked her Garden credit card, and we're definite she's in Esthar- she withdrew 15 000 G about an hour ago, most likely to purchase a house. We were hoping she'd swipe it, but she's much smarter than that. We've cut off the card, as well. We're not as 'Unlimited' as she thinks we are. In fact, we're kind of low on money at the moment.' Squall put a lot of emphasis on this last comment, and Seifer gritted his teeth. 'Oh, don't worry, Puberty Boy, I won't go hiring too many strippers.' and with that he smirked and dis-connected.
Phew! Was that long!!!!!!!! 4, 793 words!!!!! Given that you click that widdle purple button down the bottom (no, it won't bombard you with pornographic sites, I promise) the updates will be much more speedy, btw and the story is only going to get better. I'm only getting started! Be prepared, my beloved readers for angst, romance, heaps of mega-cool twists, interaction with the cast from Final Fantasy and, of course, a deep, Vanilla Sky.