Title: The Limits of Choice
Author: Ayame
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own anyone from the Final Fantasy series. They all belong solely to SQUARESOFT. *sigh* I only use them (without consent, mind you) for my devious, twisted little plots. *evil cackle*
Rating: Not sure… anywhere between PG-13 and R (Not quite sure where the blood/violence/sex/gore factor is yet…)
Summary: Nearly one year and a half after the events of the Sorceress Wars that gave so much pain, sorrow, and tribulation to those residing on Creation, the memories of such events are nearly forgotten. Though, they still impact those who are putting their lives back together, thoughts are more intent on giving in to a happier time. The group that was actively involved with the Sorceress War calmly resides at Balamb Garden, happily thinking about their futures and blessed times to come. Unfortunately, things are about to change for the inhabitants of Garden. Quistis Trepe receives an invitation to transfer out of Balamb Garden, and to the most elite military faction, thus training to become an instructor there. Deciding to take the invitation, since she was nearing the age of twenty, which would be the age that she would become an alumnus of Garden, she moves away from the Continent, she settles in Galbadia, which has undergone changes due to the previous War, and takes up residence as learning to become an instructor for those dwelling at this military 'college' of sorts. Shortly after this change, a series of attacks and 'kidnappings' take place at Balamb Garden, as well as at Galbadia and Trabia. The group at Balamb seems to think that it's Quistis' new place of work behind the abductions and assaults. At request from her friends, Quistis does a little digging. It is also there that the instructor is reunited with an unexpected, and old… 'friend.' But, the circumstances of their meeting prove to be quite different than one would think; Especially since she had no memory of him, whatsoever- even his role in the Sorceress War. (Squall/Rinoa, Selphie/Irvine pairings. But, this story will ultimately become a Quistis/Seifer ficcy. If you dun like, then don't read. You were forewarned.)
╔The Limits of Choice╗
╓Chapter One╖
Two weeks… Crystalline eyes slowly drifted along the white-washed walls, and along the light oak coffee and end tables. The two-seater sofa was placed neatly centerfold of the room, complimented by a matching, cushioned arm-chair. She'd taken deliberate care to move any lingering furniture away from the walls before she took to the task to making sure they were spotless… not that they hadn't been pristine before. She'd often took pride in keeping everything tidy. Here, in the sitting room just outside of her bedroom quarters, it felt breezy and light, decorated in hues of light oak, white, cream, and rosy colors. The area rug that covered the living room floor was even immaculate. But that was probably due to the fact that she often removed her shoes before heading further into the dormitory room. Against the wall to the right of the sofa was her desk, and all of the items that would be deemed necessary for the course of education, but most of those items had been put neatly away for future use. And just beyond the desk, to its left side, was the doorway to the bedroom. And that was where the packing had begun, and was mostly likely to end.
It had been exactly two day previous to the time that she'd received that letter. The one marked with the Galbadian Seal. Her thoughts had flashed momentarily to a time that was nearly forgotten to her; the Sorceress War. Of course, that was done and over with, and nearly two years had passed, giving those involved a chance to recuperate. She'd felt nervous when she'd broken the seal and removed the neatly folded sheet of paper from within. It was then that she'd realized, after reading it twice, that she had been offered a position in the Galbadian military forces as a special operatives instructor as well as officer for a government sector known as DEXTRA. She'd spent the rest of the day, thinking it over, and had even gone to see Headmaster Cid Kramer about the situation. He already knew of it, as it turned out. In fact, he had given the Galbadian military recommendations for her, much to her surprise. And so, without any further thought on the issue, she'd accepted the invitation via direct communications through not only Cid, but by telephone. That was only two days ago, during this hour.
But even after accepting the position, which was to start off as a trainee, since the military forces weren't quite sure of what to expect from her, she mulled over her decision. Of course, Instructor No. 14, Quistis Trepe, had been commended above other instructors by Cid to a position that was rarely offered in Galbadia Military forces, not only due to the fact that she was somewhat of a child prodigy, being the youngest person ever, at Balamb Garden, or any Garden for that matter, to actually become an instructor, but also for her role in the prevention of another major Sorceress War. And it was for this reasoning that the Galbadian forces wanted her assistance as soon as possible. And Quistis figured that it suited her just fine, since she was nearing the age of twenty, and no longer going to be a resident of Garden. Naturally, her first instincts had been to stay as part of the alumni, but her thoughts and intuitions told her that if she were to continue on in life, and make something of herself, she had to act, rather than stay behind the sheltered walls of Balamb.
Two weeks. She had to pack quickly, since she didn't have much time for moving her things to the housing that they had arranged, though, the idea of having to pack quickly wasn't much of once, seeing as how she didn't have many belongings. The sofa, armchair, coffee and end tables that furnished her neatly arranged sitting room weren't hers. Neither was the desk, nor her dresser, bed, or nightstand. Those particular things had been provided by Garden, and were going to stay here, for the next instructor that might later occupy this dorm room. She only had to get her personal belongings and clothing. With a small sigh, she let her gaze drift about the room, noting how she'd taken down any decorations that once hung on the walls or sat on the desk or tables. Having a dorm room with both a bedroom and a living room was only a privilege given to the instructors. And now, looking at the things that she'd taken for granted for all this time, she began to feel an overwhelming sense of loss.
Her friends knew about her decision. And they were not happy at all. Even the taciturn Squall had voiced his disapproval of Quistis's decision to leave Balamb soil and take to Galbadian. There were only two in the group who seemed to be supportive of her decision, and that was the young raven-haired sorceress, Rinoa Heartilly, and the Casanova sharpshooter, Irvine Kinneas. Quistis figured that this was probably because they both had been residents of either Galbadia Garden, or the city of Galbadia, themselves. Irvine had to make the transition of becoming a Balamb student. Rinoa, on the other hand, didn't have to make any transitions. The girl seemed to just go where she felt content, which, most of the time, seemed to be with wherever Squall was. That morning in the Cafeteria had seemed so washed out and downcast, that after telling her friends of her decision, she quickly excused herself and went back to her dorm room to clean up. But now, her 'chores' had been completed, and Quistis once again found herself at a loss of what to do with her time. Two weeks…
By this time in two weeks… two Saturdays from now… Quistis Trepe would once again be a former instructor of Balamb Garden. And she would begin her new life in Galbadia, as a Special OP. instructor to the prestigious and elite Military and Government division of DEXTRA.
Fed up with herself for wallowing in this would-be self-pity, Quistis took in a small breath before stretching, deciding that the best way to avert her energies would be spent at a good work out in the Training Center. There, she could at least vent some of her frustrations and annoyances that her friends hadn't been completely supportive of her decision. Heading into her room, she grabbed her weapon from off of her dresser before taking a moment to make sure she had her magick and Guardian Forces junctioned and equipped properly. With a soft sigh, she moved across the sitting room and to the doorway, where she took only a moment to slip on her boots, and head through the door.