The Seventh Month

Talking & Listening

After endless minutes of me trying not to think of Seifer but only succeeding in thinking of him more all my friends have finally arrived and arranged themselves in my new office. I'm not quite sure what is going through their heads right now, but Selphie's bouncing in her chair and looks as if I'm about to announce that I'm throwing a party in my office. Irvine is standing behind her with a hand on her shoulder while the other is sure to start playing with his hat any moment. I better start soon before he gets that bored. One of these days I'm going to be annoyed enough to take it and throw it off of the Garden balcony while the it's crossing the Ocean. Over on the plush leather couch by the wall is Zell who is currently sprawled across two couch cushions while Quistis sits very lady like on the other giving slightly disgusted looks at the way Zell is being a sloth in front of the new headmaster.

"I've called you in hear for some Good news and some bad news..." I'm cut off by Irvine who is comforting Selphie who is slightly disappointed that no party time had been announced.

"Come on hun, You should no better than to think that Squall would throw a party on his first day at work. Who knows, though maybe his good news will be he plans to throw one in his office on the second...."

"Not quite Kinneas. I don't know what you will consider good or bad news so I will get right down to it." I lean back in my new comfy headmaster chair as I decide what to say. "There is now the position as commander open, do any of you any candidates or want to say why you should be Commander?" I look at each in turn as my gaze lands on Zell he sits up a bit straighter, but only a bit.

"Who would be that crazy? We saw all the work you went through in a day.... It's amazing you did anything else other than paperwork, train, and plan missions. I'm fine with almost anyone as commander as long as they know what they are doing." A slight smile may have made its way onto my face, and that sight must have scared Zell slightly. He fidgets a bit in nervousness. I guess he should be though, because he said in a way that Seifer would be okay for the job. I continue looking around and they all nod there head in agreement with Zell. Thanks for the help guys, just one suggestion would have been all the excuse I needed to not consider Seifer for the position for another second. Oh well. Maybe I should have also told them that the real commander job is actually half the work I normally did and just as much prestige. Nah, I don't want every level SeeD up here with commander applications. Let those who want to work hard be pleasantly surprised.

"So was that the good or bad news?" I look over at Selphie and notice she is trying her best to look cute. Maybe it wouldn't hurt anyone if let her throw a concert or something. Oh great, am I becoming soft in my old age...whatever.

"I don't know," I answer truthfully because I seriously have no idea what they may consider good or bad when it comes to this sort of thing, might as well let it fly. They are starting to look anxious. "When I returned to my old office Seifer Almasy was sitting there..." The others start to interrupt and Zell actually springs out of his seat. I didn't know it was possible for a person to move that fast. In honesty I think that startled Quistis more than my news. I hold up my hand to silence them so I can finish. "As you know he is a level 19 SeeD as such he is to be treated well. He has just returned from a mission so will be going through debriefing and evaluations. He will be housed in my old dorm, I expect you, no matter what your feelings, to help him settle in to B-Garden by setting the example. Understood?" I make the last part somewhat of a command. I trust my friends, but on some issues it is better not to trust but to know without a doubt.

"I knew he would come back. How did he look? Was he happy to be back?" Quistis asked standing up to move closer to the desk. I always knew she felt responsible for what happened to Seifer as she was one of his student, I guess I just forgot how those mothering instincts never fade.

"He better be alright, that way I can challenge him to a spar and kick his ass. Payback for all those times he called me chickenwuss." I can only sit and stare as Zell starts to shadow box saying things like 'who's the chickenwuss now' and 'been resting on your laurels that past few months eh?'

"Ohh, Irvy, maybe I can recruit him to help with my festivals, it would be a great way for him to make friends..." She was lost in her own little committee world before she became completely serious and stared at her cowboy. "Or better yet he could help you study for your Written..." She starts into a little speech at a mile a minute I only manage to pick up a few words here and there. I wonder how Irvine managed, but then again he does get more practice at it then me. I try to focus on the the speed words and make out 'Seifer passes top marks. Smarter than instructors. Two weeks off.' I figure that she is talking about how Seifer always aced the written, and that he knows a ton more about Garden and SeeD then most of the instructors also how he has a couple weeks off since he just got back from a mission and that it would give him something to do.

"Hey, I have no problem with Seifer being back. He's one of us right? The Orphanage Gang, and that's what matters most. Family." as Irvine says this I can feel the genuine emotions from everyone. All of their reactions happened so fast, but his response seems to play in slow motion and reflects the others thoughts. Their happy to know Seifer is back at Garden and with his family. Now all we have to do is convince rest of Garden this, and then maybe rest of the world.

"Was that all your news?" Quistis asks me. I debate asking them what they think about Seifer being the new Commander, but I think I'll just wait and listen and see if anyone else suggests it firsts. I nod an affirmative to Quistis and her and Selphie quickly exit my office followed by Irvine and a hyper-active Zell. There is no doubt in my mind where they are heading right now. I just hope Seifer doesn't show up in my office ready to kill my for sending the welcoming committee to him so soon. Well it's not like it was my idea for them to go there all giddy, demanding to know everything about him and not leaving until they're satisfied. Although I must admit it would be nice to watch Seifer squirm over their easy acceptance of him here and their over caring nature. Unfortunately I have other things to do right now. I'll just have to listen to the gossip around here and see what kind of disaster if any Seifer will cause.

~~~Author's Notes~~~

Oh my goodness. did I just write that. That was horrible, where was the plot, the character development, anything? Maybe I'm being to hard on myself but I really dislike the way this chapter turned out. It was one of those chapters though that had to be written so I can move on to bigger and better things. I just hope it doesn't turn anyone off the story. and I have no idea what I'm doing to poor Squall one minute he wants Seifer the next he doesn't and he can't decide if Commander Almasy is a good idea or not. Oh well... If you have suggestions for this chapter or upcoming ones please feel free to do so. It's the only way I can improve.

Geesh I hope I didn't sound all whiney like Squall did in the early chapters. I just had to get it off my chest that I expect higher quality from myself. Oh while I'm here, I'd like to thank three people who have been reading this story and reviewing pretty faithfully. Delka, Honor and Redrum, I really appreciate your reviews and they make me actually write instead of just being lazy. Everyone else please Review!