Remembrance
Author: Liz Camp Pairing: A SquallXSeifer.. possible SeiferXSquall later. Warning: This is yaoi. Yes.yaoi. Don't all die of shock at once. Hey.Hey! Where are you going! Come baaack. **sniffles** so.alone...WAAAAHHH! Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Squaresoft, thus I do not own Final Fantasy VIII. On the bright side, I also don't own Kingdom of Hearts.
Previous chapter---
I have given my word, twice, and intend to keep it.
Who cares if it may be impossible?
Chapter 2---
It takes me an hour to regain my composure, in which time I plan my next few moves. Even though I didn't consciously know about the promise, I must have known about in on a deeper level.
You see... I've been tracking him. A sighting in Deling...a few in Balamb the week after everything settled, one in Esthar. But the most recent sighting was in a relatively small city, about the size of Timber, forty minutes to the east of Deling City. Sunrise Flats, that was where I would find him, I could feel it. Not just because of my rather vast network of informants, but because it felt like the right place. I'm going to find him there. And then, I'll drag him back home.
"Quistis?" I tap my shoulder communicator lightly. Balamb has been upgraded since the War, mainly due to Esthar's financial and moral support. Although I'd like to think this was not just because I was the President's son.
"Yes, Commander?"
"..." 'Please don't call me that...I've never liked it.' Quistis had not changed at all in the past five years. When we got back, she asked for me to reinstate her teaching credentials. I guess she had enough fighting to last her lifetime. We all did. Now she was in charge of the entire teaching department, faculty and classes. She seemed happy, so I guess she found her niche. It's good...knowing where you belong...
"Commander...? Are you there?" Drifted off again, Squally-boy. I wince, now I'm using Seifer's old nicknames to refer to myself.
Seifer...I think that's the first time I've consciously thought of your name.
"Quistis, I'm on indefinite leave, starting now." I hear her gasp, but she covers nicely.
"Yes sir, who should I put in my old post?" A stupid question...but one used to calm her nerves.
"...anyone you think will work. Xu will brief you on pending issues." 'You're ready for this Quisty...even if you don't think you are.'
"...Squall?" She's nervous now, no more formality.
"..."
"Do you know...when you'll be back?" Maybe soon. Maybe never.
"...no."
"All right, sir. I'll try to do a good job while you're away." There's my Quisty...always up to a challenge.
"You'll do a fine job, Quistis. And...tell the others...goodbye. For now." 'Tell them I'm miss them, and I'll be back when I can.' I have to do this...
"Yes, Squall. I hope you find him; good luck." Dammit... did everyone know? Was I the only person on this Hyne-forsaken Garden to NOT know what I was missing?
".....thank you... goodbye." 'Good luck to you too Quisty.' I sign off the communicator, removing it and leaving it on the desk as I head for my room.
Packed and ready to go, and I haven't been bothered by any of the Orphanage gang yet. Quistis must have decided not to inform them until after I leave. Good, it's easier that way. I'm not good at good-byes...or hellos... or hells...any situation with people in it.
As I leave the Garden, my home of more years than any other, I feel nothing. I expected to feel something, some sort of sadness...or something. But there's nothing but anticipating at meeting with Seifer. Pack shouldered, Lionheart in hand, I board the Griever (a gift from my father, during his guilt phase), and take off, heading towards Sunrise.
Griever is a marvelous craft, but too easily recognizable. It was based on the Ragnarock, but instead of being shaped as a legendary dragon, Tousan made it into the image of Guardian Force Griever. Yeah, thanks dad. I roll my eyes, even though there's no one else around.
It's only been the last year or so that I could call Laguna Tousan, dad...father...whatever. And it still feels strange, but I've been trying to, if only in my thoughts. We'll never be a family, but at least I can give him this, for his undisputed backing of Balamb Garden. Esthar has become a world power once more, and has become the unofficial center of unified countries. Laguna never could keep his nose in his own business, but I wish him well.
"Thirty minutes until landing destination...cool huh?!" I really wish he hadn't used his own voice as a model for the computers, but we all have our crosses to bear. Mine happens to be a genki father who can't shut up, even when he isn't around.
Thirty minutes...I think I'm deliberately trying not to think about Seifer. What am I going to say to him? What is he like now...can I even get him to listen to me? There are too many unknowns...but that's why I'm going.
I decided to land outside of Deling City, it isn't unusual for me to visit on occasion, for business. Of course, there are no politics to this visit, other than personal ones, but the citizens won't know that. The less news that gets back to Sunrise, the better. I'm hoping for element of surprise.
The craft lands on the outskirts of the city, I exit and secure it from prying eyes. If any would be thieves are skilled enough to get through the locks, they'll find some very nasty monsters waiting inside. Did you know Toramas could be trained as guard dogs? I didn't, until Irvine presented me with four of them. Irvine has an uncanny ability with animals and monsters alike. From here on out, I walk.
I got used to walking during the war, but I admit I haven't done this much walking in a long time. The road is a narrow winding strip of dirt, choked on either side by trees and shrub, and the temperature is sweltering. I concentrate on walking, which is a relief, since it gives me no chance to concentrate on anything else.
Ten minutes from town, and I've slain my thirteenth Marlboro. The lunar cry has really affected monster habitats to an extreme, but this many Marlboros is ridiculous. I should have borrowed Diablos from Irvine, but it wouldn't have been fair. I don't know when I'll be back to Garden and Irvine enjoys his conversations with the dark-looking creature. I'm wiping by gunblade on the grass to clean it for the hundredth time or so, when I feel something very sharp pressed against the small of my back. I nod in what I hope is a congenial manner.
"..Seifer."
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A/N What do you think? I am an author in desperate need of feedback, so if anyone has a handout, I'll be glad to accept it *points at cardboard 'Feedback Wanted' sign in hands*
Author: Liz Camp Pairing: A SquallXSeifer.. possible SeiferXSquall later. Warning: This is yaoi. Yes.yaoi. Don't all die of shock at once. Hey.Hey! Where are you going! Come baaack. **sniffles** so.alone...WAAAAHHH! Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Squaresoft, thus I do not own Final Fantasy VIII. On the bright side, I also don't own Kingdom of Hearts.
Previous chapter---
I have given my word, twice, and intend to keep it.
Who cares if it may be impossible?
Chapter 2---
It takes me an hour to regain my composure, in which time I plan my next few moves. Even though I didn't consciously know about the promise, I must have known about in on a deeper level.
You see... I've been tracking him. A sighting in Deling...a few in Balamb the week after everything settled, one in Esthar. But the most recent sighting was in a relatively small city, about the size of Timber, forty minutes to the east of Deling City. Sunrise Flats, that was where I would find him, I could feel it. Not just because of my rather vast network of informants, but because it felt like the right place. I'm going to find him there. And then, I'll drag him back home.
"Quistis?" I tap my shoulder communicator lightly. Balamb has been upgraded since the War, mainly due to Esthar's financial and moral support. Although I'd like to think this was not just because I was the President's son.
"Yes, Commander?"
"..." 'Please don't call me that...I've never liked it.' Quistis had not changed at all in the past five years. When we got back, she asked for me to reinstate her teaching credentials. I guess she had enough fighting to last her lifetime. We all did. Now she was in charge of the entire teaching department, faculty and classes. She seemed happy, so I guess she found her niche. It's good...knowing where you belong...
"Commander...? Are you there?" Drifted off again, Squally-boy. I wince, now I'm using Seifer's old nicknames to refer to myself.
Seifer...I think that's the first time I've consciously thought of your name.
"Quistis, I'm on indefinite leave, starting now." I hear her gasp, but she covers nicely.
"Yes sir, who should I put in my old post?" A stupid question...but one used to calm her nerves.
"...anyone you think will work. Xu will brief you on pending issues." 'You're ready for this Quisty...even if you don't think you are.'
"...Squall?" She's nervous now, no more formality.
"..."
"Do you know...when you'll be back?" Maybe soon. Maybe never.
"...no."
"All right, sir. I'll try to do a good job while you're away." There's my Quisty...always up to a challenge.
"You'll do a fine job, Quistis. And...tell the others...goodbye. For now." 'Tell them I'm miss them, and I'll be back when I can.' I have to do this...
"Yes, Squall. I hope you find him; good luck." Dammit... did everyone know? Was I the only person on this Hyne-forsaken Garden to NOT know what I was missing?
".....thank you... goodbye." 'Good luck to you too Quisty.' I sign off the communicator, removing it and leaving it on the desk as I head for my room.
Packed and ready to go, and I haven't been bothered by any of the Orphanage gang yet. Quistis must have decided not to inform them until after I leave. Good, it's easier that way. I'm not good at good-byes...or hellos... or hells...any situation with people in it.
As I leave the Garden, my home of more years than any other, I feel nothing. I expected to feel something, some sort of sadness...or something. But there's nothing but anticipating at meeting with Seifer. Pack shouldered, Lionheart in hand, I board the Griever (a gift from my father, during his guilt phase), and take off, heading towards Sunrise.
Griever is a marvelous craft, but too easily recognizable. It was based on the Ragnarock, but instead of being shaped as a legendary dragon, Tousan made it into the image of Guardian Force Griever. Yeah, thanks dad. I roll my eyes, even though there's no one else around.
It's only been the last year or so that I could call Laguna Tousan, dad...father...whatever. And it still feels strange, but I've been trying to, if only in my thoughts. We'll never be a family, but at least I can give him this, for his undisputed backing of Balamb Garden. Esthar has become a world power once more, and has become the unofficial center of unified countries. Laguna never could keep his nose in his own business, but I wish him well.
"Thirty minutes until landing destination...cool huh?!" I really wish he hadn't used his own voice as a model for the computers, but we all have our crosses to bear. Mine happens to be a genki father who can't shut up, even when he isn't around.
Thirty minutes...I think I'm deliberately trying not to think about Seifer. What am I going to say to him? What is he like now...can I even get him to listen to me? There are too many unknowns...but that's why I'm going.
I decided to land outside of Deling City, it isn't unusual for me to visit on occasion, for business. Of course, there are no politics to this visit, other than personal ones, but the citizens won't know that. The less news that gets back to Sunrise, the better. I'm hoping for element of surprise.
The craft lands on the outskirts of the city, I exit and secure it from prying eyes. If any would be thieves are skilled enough to get through the locks, they'll find some very nasty monsters waiting inside. Did you know Toramas could be trained as guard dogs? I didn't, until Irvine presented me with four of them. Irvine has an uncanny ability with animals and monsters alike. From here on out, I walk.
I got used to walking during the war, but I admit I haven't done this much walking in a long time. The road is a narrow winding strip of dirt, choked on either side by trees and shrub, and the temperature is sweltering. I concentrate on walking, which is a relief, since it gives me no chance to concentrate on anything else.
Ten minutes from town, and I've slain my thirteenth Marlboro. The lunar cry has really affected monster habitats to an extreme, but this many Marlboros is ridiculous. I should have borrowed Diablos from Irvine, but it wouldn't have been fair. I don't know when I'll be back to Garden and Irvine enjoys his conversations with the dark-looking creature. I'm wiping by gunblade on the grass to clean it for the hundredth time or so, when I feel something very sharp pressed against the small of my back. I nod in what I hope is a congenial manner.
"..Seifer."
---------
A/N What do you think? I am an author in desperate need of feedback, so if anyone has a handout, I'll be glad to accept it *points at cardboard 'Feedback Wanted' sign in hands*