Some of the content will be disturbing in this chapter. You have been advised.
It seemed that on that particular day, certain committees were out and about, extolling volunteers for surveys of a nature that they felt contributed to their activities. However, only two had the unmitigated impudence to attempt to include the Chief of Security on theirs. Fortunately for them the Chief was in a mood at such times to hear their questions before deciding not to answer them and telling them in no uncertain terms just where they could insert their accursed surveys.
The first to visit him was an underclassman girl, training under Dr. Kadowaki in all likelihood. Her single question, as she explained it, was to discover the morale/well being of the Garden populace, but in an abstract and roundabout way. He found the interruption to be welcomer than he expected it to feel and agreed to answer the timid girl's sole question.
She looked down at her clipboard and asked the question as it was printed. "Chief Almasy: It is a good day to what? Complete the sentence."
He considered before answering. Generally speaking, Mr. Almasy was not one wont to return a question of this nature with much thought, but on this occasion he mulled it over carefully. If all things were perfect he would be inclined to answer with 'to die,' as if you lead a life which is true to others and yourself he would be content with death at any time. Alas, he was not. Though, growing bored with the question he opted for a lie. Now whether his hatred for being viewed as soft or predictable would win out.
"Why, to fall in love, of course." He answered with a smile. Yes, he decided that he despised being predictable more than being emotional. That would give the wide-eyed girl something to gossip about with her friends.
Seifer had not long absorbed himself in his work when a second surveyor entered, this one from the finance committee. As the young cadet was brave enough to enter his office, he decided to hear his question. It had to do with the current mild financial draught being experienced by the Garden, and was asked to all faculty and SeeDs.
"Could you provide a suggestion for an item which we may tax in Garden to increase revenue?"
Pondering the question over in his mind, Seifer decided that all following interruptions would not be tolerated. He had too much that still he needed to complete.
"I'd tax Instructor Trepe… And I have a feeling she'd tax me too." Seifer laughed a bit at his own innuendo and so did the student, fretfully. The cadet scurried away, deciding pressing for a more obliging answer would not be the best choice for his health, as the Chief's traditional scowl had returned.
Over the next several hours Seifer worked diligently trying to find a solution to the 'Trepiedation' problem that was spreading across the campus. He met with the good doctor and the Posse to assimilate their findings, but no immediate answers could be ascertained from the combined efforts. Thus he continued on, unwilling to fail in his first assignment at his position, or even to allow any more harm to come of the problem. He would not allow himself to fail again, even by his own machinations. Stopping occasionally for food he went until his other studies absolutely demanded to be addressed.
The Messenger Girl decided to harass him while he was doing his homework. That's right: homework. Annoying hoops that required jumping through before he had to start training Dincht at 2000 hours.
"Hey Seifer. Would y…"
She was cut off. "Not a prayer." He didn't even look up.
"But you didn't even let me finish the question!" Her bottom lip had extended slightly on her pouting face. "You don't know what I was going to ask you." She stated in the matter-of-fact manner that was typical and yet so utterly implausible coming from her.
"It doesn't matter what it was. I'm busy. Now kindly go away." Seifer still refused her a glance.
"I could have been asking for your hand." Now she had a singing voice and tried to smirk, but failed miserably. Well, not miserably, but Selphie isn't one to be able to do anything halfway, including smiling. It just looked like a disfigured half-grin. Not that it mattered, as he wasn't watching.
"Don't trifle with my feelings, Tilmitt. Just leave me alone right now." She threw herself onto her knees and for a moment Seifer thought that perhaps she was going to propose, in some pretense. Deep in the more horrifying corridors of his mind.
It seemed she had a (slightly) less damning proposal in mind. "Pleeeeaaaseee!" Selphie latched onto his arm and yanked on it like a child would. "The Garden festival is only three months, two weeks, and five days away! I really need help. Please Seifie, for me?" He knew she would be making that pathetic and irresistible sulking visage that could hold such sway over the willpower of mere mortal men.
He willed himself not to gaze upon it, however, and sighed resignedly. "Alright, alright." She grinned widely and led him out to the directory, chattering incoherently about this and that. After making the first turn off the elevator, and having just passed the pair of Balamb fish statues, he swiftly grabbed the belt around her jumper. Before she could utter a verbal protest, or even realize what was going on, he tossed her unceremoniously into the moat.
Before shortly leaving he made in dusting his hands off on each other. The little one could be so nettlesome sometimes to him. Seifer was well into his older choleric nature by this time of the day, and it was only 1732. Even the slightest glance from a passing student would cause him vexation. His slightest glance would send them scurrying away like Squall from a social function. A social function without alcohol anyway.
Quistis Trepe was done with her classes for the day, for the week really, but cadets were preparing in earnest (some of them) for the fast approaching SeeD examinations. More so than usual she was inundated with requests for help and guidance. Often she would just turn the students that she felt weren't so honest with their intentions of study away to another capable instructor.
It was difficult for her to do so now as she felt greatly responsible for her students' failures, so she saw many students and a plethora of problems that needed to be addressed. In honesty, she was growing weary of it, and consequently decided to try to retire for the day. It was 2046.
While she made her way toward her suite in the quiet hall, a voice called out to her.
"Instructor! Wait…" He ran up to where she waited with diminishing patience. Quistis waited with her arms folded primly for her student to bring forth his concern. Though, the said student seemed to have trouble meeting the eyes of his instructor, probably embarrassed with his question. She smiled and walked a bit closer. Lately students were experiencing such embarrassment because they were forced to show just how little they were paying attention during lessons by asking most of them.
"What is it Arthur?" She asked one of the many amongst her students not expected to be eligible for the SeeD exams. At least Arthur usually gave a concerted effort. Waiting for a reply, she stood by her door as the young man moved slightly closer. He blushed.
"Well… It's just that…" Arthur started to look to her now. She wore an amused smile, unaware of what could cause such a degree of discomfort in her cadet, and why it amused her so.
All thoughts on the matter disappeared when suddenly he pushed her against the doorframe and enveloped her lips in incessant and hungry kisses. She was unable to move or protest for her abject astonishment and so he continued to devour her mouth and what tongue his fervent desire could gather, boldly groping his hand along her inner thigh.
The distant yet intimate contact was enough to shake her from her inaction. Quickly she shoved him forcibly away, sending him sliding across the floor with her strength. Arthur attempted to recover and stand, alarmed by her new reaction. He tried to protest when he saw that he could not possibly sprint away in time to avoid the infuriated teacher. Reaching him in a few brisk steps Quistis pulled him to his feet by his collar and without warning, punched him in the jaw, knocking him out cold.
Seifer, less than one hour into training Zell, was patrolling the second floor when his communicator rung. He released an annoyed sigh and handed the offensive object to the shorter man walking beside him, who looked bemused but took and answered it anyway.
"Yo…" The person on the other end spoke. "Oh, hey Quistis. 'Sup?" There was a short pause and then Zell executed one of his patented 'step backs of shock.' "Say what? That's hella fucked up Quisty!… Yeah someone will come and get 'im… Bye." He closed the flap on the communicator and hung up, turning to Seifer who awaited the news.
"…Yes?"
"Some guy just tried to sexually assault Quistis! She wants us to pick him up and question him after he comes to." He let a small grin cover his face with his last remark. 'After he comes to', that's our Quistis. Zell started to shadow box.
Seifer knew this would happen eventually, but was nonetheless saddened when it did. "Well?" He addressed the martial artist who looked up. "Don't just do something, stand there!" Zell instantly started to make his way to the elevator at a fast clip, but turned around in a moment of dawning realization. "Don't you know sarcasm when you hear it Dincht? Make sure she's okay and fetch the bastard and bring him to the brig. I'll be waiting there and then we'll interrogate him." Zell gave a quick thumbs up and sped off again.
After his recruit left he clapped his hands together and rubbed them gleefully. I never went to an interrogation on my first day. Seifer walked to the brig. Once there he set up three chairs and checked all the surveillance equipment to ensure that it would record properly this coming event. Zell opened the door after a short time and Seifer saw that the offender had already awoken. He grabbed him roughly by the shirt and threw him roughly toward the single chair opposite his and Zell's, telling him gruffly to "Have a seat."
Climbing up from the floor, Arthur did so, as did the interrogators, Zell after a short look of shock at Seifer's instant metamorphosis. It was all the more terrifying to the wayward students that the former Knight never used weapons or restrictive objects like handcuffs, to ensure that prisoners would not escape his clutches. Arthur swallowed. Seifer looked up toward the ceiling for some time before starting.
"Here's a question that you should ask yourself: 'If I knew today was my last day among the living what would I do differently?'" He looked pointedly at the prisoner.
"Actually that's exactly what got me here in the first place." Seifer was afraid of that.
He grimaced and pressed onward. "It seems that you neglected to follow up the question with 'Especially if, by doing something different, today might not be my last day among the living.'" Now he glared at the wide-eyed Arthur. "Did someone put you up to doing this? A dare or something?" He shook his head. Seifer sighed. Not the answer I was hoping for. "If I find out differently I'll hang you by your tongue from the halo."
Glancing at his watch, Seifer acknowledged the number of things he had yet to complete. He needed to continue to work on his Trepie findings as Cid expected at least a thorough report on Trepe by Sunday and though it was Friday, he wanted to completely finish his homework before the weekend.
Seifer then whispered to Zell "Finish this up. I have other things that I must be doing. Try to find out if he had and hidden motivations. I don't think he really has to much information to give us but try to be thorough, and when you're finished, lock him up." Zell nodded and Seifer left the room to head for the library.
Now it is true that by this time in the evening the library was closed, but that was precisely why he wanted to go there. No interruptions, just blissful silence. He could get in without any trouble and without anyone noticing.
Once inside he lumbered to the back of the room, flicked on a desk light, and fell wearily onto a stool. He started to get out all of his notes and materials. Yawning and rubbing his eyes, he admitted that this had already been a lengthy night and that it was steadily growing longer. His head rested on his propped up hand and he set out to finish his homework.
"Seifer?" A soft voice aroused him from the sleep he never thought he entered. Seifer turned around to see an amused form of his instructor. "Never expected to see you in the library." She smiled and he frowned sleepily.
He shook off the trailing effects of unconsciousness. "Trepe. You okay? After everything that happened I mean…" She nodded. It would be unlikely that he or anyone would extract any information from her about any problem that might truly bother her. She didn't often share her burdens or pains with others, opting instead to work them out herself and cope. She never would talk about the documentary night or their 'Trepiedation' talk the other day, and this was no different. He trusted her to be stable and work things out on her own, as she preferred. While often this process took a rather long while it usually worked quite well, so he left her to her own devices and left the subject. She was a strong woman in many ways after all.
"Would you like some coffee? Company?" Quistis inquired amiably.
Seifer nodded. "The latter will do nicely." She took the seat next to his and sipped from the steaming mug in her hands. For a little while there was still.
"You know…" She began "I never thought that if we saw each other again that things would turn out like this." Her lips curled upward faintly.
He snorted. "What did you expect? Maybe one day you'd run into me at a bar, trying to drink whatever sorrows you have away, and confess in a drunken state of honesty your undying love for me? Or maybe that we'd get caught in an elevator together and be overcome with an animal lust for each other? Or that you would be sent to extradite me for war crimes and in the process of capturing me, realize my immense dashing charm and incredible physique and elope with me forever?"
She laughed aloud and shook her head, pointing at him. "If I didn't know any better I'd say that working with all these 'Trepies' has turned you into one of them. Anyway no, that's not really what I meant. I thought things would be less friendly."
The ex-Knight shrugged. "Sorry to disappoint."
"It's not a disappointment. It's just a surprise, that's all."
"Why are you out here anyway Trepe? It's 0052." Now she shrugged.
"It seems like this is the only place that I can escape all of my students. I just wanted to do some reading in peace. What about you? Come here to rid yourself of interruption?"
"Yeah, but you may stay." She rolled her eyes in reference to his permission. "I could use a break from uncovering psychological disorders. It's not exactly in my own… personal…" He was obviously struggling for the right word.
"Idiom?" He snapped his fingers and pointed to her at the proper suggestion. They grinned at each other. After a short time she cleared her throat. "I thought about what you said a while back about escaping from life and it's merits."
"And…?"
"And just recently I began to watch television to escape. Tonight there was this movie about a teacher whose most troublesome student returned after mysteriously disappearing as a completely different person." She stopped.
"And…?"
"Well, I turned it off. I watch TV to escape you see." She smirked.
"Har, har." He shortly rolled his eyes at that remark and then sat in contemplation for some time. Seifer sighed. "Quistis. I don't want you to see your students outside of your office anymore."
She scowled. "It's the weekend and the offices are strictly closed. I'm not just going to abandon them because of one chance occurrence that didn't damage me in any way." He didn't really buy that last part. "I can take care of myself. I think I've proven that often enough."
"I know that. Do what you want, just please be careful. This last incident may not have caused much damage but I can't predict what others might do." He stood up and grabbed his things bidding her farewell. "'Night Trepe."
"Goodnight Seifer."
By midway through the next day, Seifer and his Posse felt they had made considerable steps in the Trepiedation case and felt confident that they would be able to present a report to the headmaster on the following day. Raijin was in the security office monitoring the active surveillance while Fujin, Seifer, and Zell were out on patrol. He had been keeping close attention on the suite of Quistis Trepe wherein a student had entered about twenty minutes prior.
The two seemed to be working on some project of some manner, the instructor occasionally taking sips from her mug of coffee. A couple of times she had left to get this thing or that. Every thing seemed to be going quite well with the pair.
Raijin stretched his large form out languorously, taking a few chugs from a caffeine infused soft drink. He ran his eyes along the row of monitors looking for things out of place. Finding nothing, his eyes returned to the view of the instructor's suite as Seifer had made it clear that special attention was to be given to her, especially around cadets. On screen she yawned and rubbed her eyes before apparently apologizing to the student and standing up, struggling to find her way somewhere.
He picked up his communicator and quickly paged Seifer. "Rubber Ducky?"
Crackles. "What is it Poppa Bear?"
"Somethin' interesting goin' on in Trepe's room, ya know?" He sounded worried.
"Don't tell me you've turned into a Trepie voyeur too."
"Just get over there to check it out. Fast."
Seifer reached the door and knocked tentatively. "Trepe?… Trepe?" He waited.
His communicator buzzed. "Why the hell aren't you in there?"
"Why? What's going on?"
"Ask questions later! You need to get in, now!"
He watched with passive detachment as his instructor said sorry for suddenly feeling ill and arose from her couch to find her way to the bathroom. She was growing pale as she stumbled to find it. He reached over to her as her beautiful eyes fluttered open and shut, quickly losing her grip on the cognizant state.
She fell. Such an untouchable goddess lay nearly still on her living room floor, porcelain face changing from painful discomfort to contented oblivion. The instructor was just so overwhelmingly beautiful laying there, as he brushed away the errant strands of gold from her sweating brow, cupping her chin with his palm. Just to touch her… It was an impossible waking dream coming to fruition.
Inflamed with the impossible angelic form, he slowly caressed down her body, sighing in ecstasy as he did so. He deftly unbuttoned her blouse and tore away her skirt and undergarments. So beautiful… Just to touch her… Forever, in just one moment.
He shifted his enraptured figure and poised it over hers, pausing to steal some further sweetness from her lips, and tasted more of it. Lower, and lower, drinking in the unattainable idol of loveliness, of perfection. Clearing away any other obstruction to this beauty that he had waited so long for, he brought himself upon her, just as the door burst open…
Seifer found the door to be locked and with no answer and for the urgency in his friend's voice, he threw him self at the metal door. After a few tries it fell to his immense strength and rage. He saw a student atop the nude and comatose Quistis. Some people had heard the door break and gathered outside, but fortunately, Raijin arranged for Fujin to maintain order in the hall.
The Knight-errant lunged, screaming at the oblivious student, tearing his half-undressed body away from his instructor and throwing him mightily into the wall. He snarled as the cadet still looked dazedly at Quitsis. Seifer picked him up and lifted him above the ground, in a blind rage and without any other thoughts; he thrust the cadet's body into the almost buckling wall with no mercy.
His breathing was heavy and labored when he finally stopped, the flowing blood slowly pooling onto the floor. Coming to his senses, he did what he could to ensure the survival of the cadet, for questioning and for the fact that even under these circumstances the murder of a cadet would not bid him well. He told Fujin and assembled faculty to replace the door as quickly as possible, clear out the hallway and deposit the injured student in the infirmary.
Raijin had called while Seifer made sure that Quistis still held vital signs to say that he suspected, much as Seifer did, a form of poison or drugging.
Quistis was breathing easily and her heartbeat was normal, but slow. Seifer dressed her with what new clothes he could find and sent the others away for Kadowaki to examine. Finished with that and knowing that washing her would possibly wash away essential evidence, he laid her gently on her bed where perhaps she could rest peacefully. He wasn't sure if she'd remember this, but he sat slouched over on her bed next to her, peering at her serene visage, and apprehensively brushing her cheek. No one should have to go through what she just did.
He hoped she wouldn't remember.
The hall had quieted down and with his request to be left here in peace, he was. Seifer sat in a recliner and rubbed his temples before falling into the terror of his unconscious and away from that of the real world.