╔The Limits of Choice╗
By: Ayame
╓Chapter Four╖
It was well past noon and the time that most would have started lunch. The hub-bub in front of the Infirmary had died down considerably, most realizing that their hanging about was doing little to make the sick better. Only those die-hard, dedicated students stayed on, talking outside of the infirmary doors and in the hallway, while, for others, the call for food was much stronger.
Quistis sat up in her hospital bed, clothed in her original outfit of skirt and sweater, save her boots, which were on the floor near the doorway, rather than having been clothed into the garb standard for most infirmary patients. One of the medical students was carefully removing the IV that produced saline fluids, which had been placed beneath the skin of her left hand, into the vein resting there. The same nurse was also finishing the drawing of blood, which would show the tawny haired instructors current condition, and whether or not she was ready to be released. While it would have been a good idea to get Quistis out of her normal ensemble and into a hospital gown, her arrival had given little time for that, and her stay was proving to be brief. Since little more than at least three people could fit into the tiny resting rooms as visitors, the number seeing Quistis was cut down to two, due to the fact that the nurse was still in there with her as well.
Squall and Rinoa were beside the bed, Rinoa sitting in a strategically placed chair holding onto Quistis's hand while Squall stood, leaning against the wall, reticent and expressionless as ever. The raven-haired young woman spoke in soft tones, getting Quistis's version of what had happened in the training center. She knew that it was probably ridiculous to hear this again, after all, she was sure that Quistis was explaining this story for the millionth time to her, as she had to Zell, Xu, and the headmaster, from what Xu had commented on upon leaving the room and letting Squall and herself take their turn in visiting.
After the nurse had left, Rinoa felt free to raise her voice to something more than just a hushed whisper, and the two discussed not only Quistis's current health, but the possible reasons as to why she was in this condition. Rinoa found that she'd pretty much confirmed what Quistis already knew for it seemed that the instructor had read up a bit on this problem known as the Crossing. They stayed in the infirmary room for only a few minutes more before the nurse returned, saying that Quistis was free to go. The only medicine she needed was a bit of rest and some water to rid herself of the dehydration her body had gone through from the shock. As reluctant as her friends were to leave her, the SeeD instructor insisted, after she'd gotten into the waiting room, that she was perfectly fine, and that they needn't go out of their way for her. They had, after all, things to do, since the day was just barely half over. As unwillingly as they had been at having to wait for the 'Okay!' to go in and see Quistis, they were just as so to letting her go off alone: especially Irvine and Selphie, who had witnessed the ordeal. But, after more assurances by Dr. Kadowaki, they all left the Infirmary to go about their business, like on any other normal day.
Quistis reached her dormitory room after several stops from students and staff asking her well-being. It had to have been the most attention she'd been given since the day she'd received her instructors license, at the age of fifteen, and started teaching those the same age and older than herself, quite some time ago. With a soft sigh, she stepped across the threshold of her rooms and closed the door behind her. Rubbing her temples, she thought about how she should have stopped off at the cafeteria for a quick bite to eat, but she really didn't want to encounter the crowds. It seemed, however, that they had an affinity to come to her. There was a soft knock at her door.
Rinoa stood there, in blue-jean shorts, and a dark red, ribbed, sleeveless mock-turtleneck, hands hooked behind her back, tapping the tip of her sandaled toe against the tiled floor, a grin on her face, and concern in her eyes. Zell was with her, clad in black jeans and a plane white t-shirt, as full of the nervous energy that Rinoa displayed, but in a much less subtle way. Beaming, he threw out his arms, practically pushed his way into the room and started in with his talking. "Hey, Instructor Trepe! Me and Rin decided to stop by and see how you were doing. I know you said not to, but we wanted to really make sure you were alright." He stepped to the side and gave way for Rinoa to make entrance. She stepped through the entryway with a light smile before reaching out and hugging the older woman.
"How are you feeling, Quisty?"
Quistis smiled, thinking about how even still, after a year, with Ellone rekindling the minor trend, she wasn't quite used to being called Quisty all the time. But then, Rinoa and Selphie were the only two that really used the nickname often. "I feel fine, Rinoa. You really don't have to worry." Closing the door after the two had been ushered into the small sitting room, which made up the front part of Quistis's quarters, the blonde moved toward them and took a place in an armchair, gesturing for them to do likewise on the adjacent loveseat. Zell stood for a minute, stretching before taking a seat, and Rinoa let her gaze drift about the room quickly. She took note of the white walls and the sparse furnishings, thus a result of packing. Trying not to let herself feel downhearted at the thought of her good friend leaving Balamb Continent, a place that Rinoa had gotten more than used to calling 'home,' she gave a short, near inaudible sigh and sat next to Zell. Looking toward Quistis, she addressed the older woman's comment.
"Well, I can't help it. I'm just going to worry even more, you know, when you take up residence in Deling City. But it won't be so bad. There's plenty to do there. Lots of shops you can go to and a bunch of attractions that the tourists like to visit. And, if you ever feel lonely, you can just head over to the Caraway Manor and run up their crossline bills for communication with us here. Caraway won't mind." She smiled brightly at the prospect of having to keep in touch with the tawny-haired woman through different means, but she also felt disheartened. "And if you ever need a tour guide, I'm definitely your girl! I'll just get Selphie to pilot the Ragnarok, and I guess on occasion we'll have to drag Squall, Irvine, and Zell with us as protection from nasty encounters with any-"
At the tone of dismay when mentioning the guys and the crinkling of the nose, Zell was quick to interrupt. "Hey!! You wouldn't have to drag me. I can walk willingly, FYI. It's not like I wouldn't want to visit Quistis-"
"You'd be willing to walk all the way there? Are you gonna use the train routes and walk along the tracks?" Rinoa spoke quickly, inserting her own interruption, a teasing smile on her lips at having made Zell stumble over his words. Zell only groaned at the bemused looks on the faces of both women before leaning back against the sofa.
"I give up." He mumbled, without even really starting to fight. It was one thing to argue with Irvine or Squall – actually, talk at Squall was more like it – but it was a completely different thing to argue with any of the girls. Besides, he liked them better than the guys anyways. With a small smile, Rinoa turned her attention back to Quistis and scooted forward on her seat.
"Oh! But I know all the preparations to your joining DEXTRA aren't official yet, but I made some arrangements for your arrival to Deling, since you plan on going a little earlier to get familiar with the city." Rinoa couldn't help but give a sheepish smile at the look of amusement bestowed upon her for making arrangements that the instructor hadn't even started to make. Rinoa continued. "Well, Zone and Watts have been spending some time in Deling City; I think the White SeeD ship was making them a little seasick. Zone never had a really strong stomach. Anyways! They said they'd be in town on your arrival date to make sure that you get settled. I figured it might be nice for you to see a familiar face. And you can say, 'Hi!' to them for me! I really miss them. Watts especially. He is so sweet. I really wish we all could go, but with everyone taking classes, and Squall being Garden's Commander, and me…" Rinoa's voice trailed off as she noted the look of confusion that had gently slid over Quistis's features, replacing the contentment that was once there. "Are you alright?"
Zell's nonchalant appearance quickly changed to that of concern, as Rinoa's had, and he got to his feet. "Do we need to take her back to the Infirmary?" He looked a Rinoa as he spoke, and she started to answer as she rose as well, but Quistis stopped them.
"No, no. I don't need to go back. It's just…" she tilted her head to one side, locks of blonde hair cascading from its resting spot on her shoulder. "I don't know who your talking about." She let her gaze of azure meet Rinoa's. Rinoa let herself fall back onto the sofa, a crease marring her brow as she studied Quistis. Zell stared in open puzzlement then spoke the words that Rinoa was feeling. The tone of his voice was dead on as to what she was feeling: deep concern.
"Sure you do. They were how we met Rinoa in Timber. Remember how Rinoa was part of the underground resistance?" He paused to watch Quistis nod before continuing. "Well, Zone and Watts were part of the Forest Owls. Remember how Seifer broke out of Garden and 'caused all those problems over there? Put the entire town under red alert and had Galbadian soldiers looking for us? And then Zone gave you his ticket to get out of the city because he knew we couldn't leave you behind: that the soldiers would spot you right away. And then we met up with them again, later on on the White SeeD ship?"
The look that had graced the young woman's features had grown even more perplexed. "Yes, yes, I remember that." She shook her head as though to clarify her thoughts as her gaze became directed toward the small coffee table in front of the two-seater sofa. Her sapphire eyes seemed to darken as she thought about the previous year. "I mean… I remember Timber, and I remember going there and meeting everyone and meeting Rinoa… I remember the White SeeD ship, and how it's purpose – the purpose of those SeeD – is similar to ours, and that they're the ones who had been watching out for Ellone… but I don't remember Zone… or Watts…. And…" after a long pause, one that seemed deafening to Rinoa and Zell who apprehensively exchanged glances, Quistis looked up at them. What they read in her eyes was by no means some sort of joke that the former Garden instructor was trying to play. Her voice was puzzled, and held no hint of laughter when she spoke. "Who is Seifer?"