Chapter 2
A strange new air wandered into the garden of Balamb. Insipid white sneakers walked onto the main hall. Classes were off that day for it was Saturday. Most of the students were at Dollet town relaxing. The instructors were off in their places doing their own thing. "Hello," murmured the voice of a young boy who strolled through the empty hall. The water that spews from the stone fish mouths fell tenderly into the clear pool of water that encircled the whole facility. A long sigh escaped from the boy's mouth. "No one is here. That's typical. No wonder my father sent me here," complained the boy. He scanned the board and found the direction to the room of the dormitories.
He walked past the quiet library. An occasional roar from the monsters from the training hall caused him to flinch a bit. After passing the empty parking lot he arrived to the dormitory. He walked straight through the desolate hall. The sun was shining and it was only midday! Where could everyone be? The young boy dropped off his things in the room that he was assigned to: D-001. He walked into the kitchen. Not much there. Two rooms were there. One was taken for it was locked. The boy threw his duffel bag onto the floor. "Home?" he stated as he placed the earphones on and started the cassette player.
"You must be new?" said a girl with a bright yellow dress. She showed a straight face. "Um…yes. My name is Shinji Ikari, Son of Gendo Ikari, I uh transferred from NERV," blushed the shy Shinji. Selphie didn't show a single emotion as she retorted, "My name is Selphie Tilmitt. I, too, was a new student a few months. I came from Talbia Garden up near the places were snow exists only in that area." Shinji gazed into Selphie's lifeless expression. "Are you an empty shell?" asked Shinji. Selphie left the room without a word. "Another Rei Ayanami? Could that be possible? Can she be the fourth child," though Shinji as he lay on his bed. The cassette rolled as the music streamed into his mind.
"So where did everyone go? Why is it so quiet here?" wondered out loud Shinji as he stared blankly at the white ceiling. "Everyone is having fun or either training outside. Not many stay in here unless they are sleeping," retorted Selphie. Shinji curled into a ball. His eyes felt heavy that a deep slumber overwhelmed him.
Irvine and Squall strolled down the busy streets of Dollet quietly. The search for the new students coming was harder than they thought. SeeD uniforms flooded the square. The restaurants and Cafes filled the rumors and chatters of what was new in Balamb Garden and the City. Two familiar voices caught Squall's attention. He turned to the Tavern and found Rinoa drunk off her ass. Her cheeks were red and Seifer was with her! "You know what…you are much better than that quiet fool Squall Lionheart," slurred Rinoa as she wobbled toward Seifer. Seifer wasn't as much intoxicated as her but just gave off a smirk. The music started beat and the disco lights flooded the dance floor. Rinoa hiccupped and dragged Seifer to the dance floor. "I think I understand why Squall was pissed off," thought Seifer as he watched Rinoa trying to dance. She swayed back and forth while loosing her balancing many times. She tried to para para dance but ended up smacking people's faces. Seifer just couldn't handle it anymore. He grabbed Rinoa and made out on the dance floor. "He can drink with her. He can dance with her. Besides I hate dancing with her. BUT HE CAN'T DO THAT!" roared Squall as he gritted his teeth. Irvine pointed at them and said innocently, "Seifer did. Too late. Let's go." They walked out the gates of Dollet town and decided to drive back home.
Irvine began to bounce as he started the engine. Korean techno music began to play. Squall glanced at Irvine then at the stereo. "You got to be kidding me. You listen to Koyote?" questioned Squall. The sharpshooter let out a long sigh, "Yeah I know I shouldn't be listening to them but –" He was stopped. His friend held in his hand the new CD of Koyote. Irvine's eyes widen. Can this be? Does the stoic Squall might have some rhythm in him?! They popped the CD and they jammed all the way home.
A young woman stood in the parking lot. Long dark purple hair shimmered under the fluorescent lights. Her red coat was still bright under the dim lights of the garage. She came out of her red mustang which was parked next to Irvine's vehicle. "Hello boys. I'm Misato Katsuragi. Do you know where the instructor Quitis Trepe is located at?" Irvine headed toward her to make a move. Swift kick from Squall caused the flirting sharpshooter to fall to the ground. Pulling his hair back with his fingers, Squall headed toward Misato with a debonair smile. "I'll show you to her. Come right this way." His hands caressed the new woman's soft hands. Her smooth skin lightened up in the hall's light.
The light from the center of Balamb garden glistened in the water of the large stone water fountain. Relaxing sound of water filled the empty halls. "So beautiful," Misato awed. Squall pulled along the ring that connected each section of the building. The sign in gray lit up the words DOMITORY in huge white letters.
A loud knocking on the door had awoken Quitis from her slumber. "Good morning sir…How's life with fighting Edea like?" bleated the young instructor slurry. Misato started at the glossy eyes of her new co-worker. Squall scanned around the area and found nothing. His eyes widen. "Quitis where is your whip?" questioned Squall. Rubbing her eyes afterwards she glanced around the room. Her adrenaline began to pump faster and faster. "WHERE IS MY WHIP?"
SNAP! Everyone in the room looked at the door. A girl with short blue hair stood at the doorway. The whip was in her hand. "I'm sorry Miss Quitis. I just need it for a second. Her you go," said the girl. Her face was straight. No emotion was shown. "Rei Ayanami, what did you do with the whip?" A huge grin appeared on her face. "I had fun! Well I better be off now. I want go see the trains in Dollet town. Good bye Ms. Katsuragi and Miss Quitis," she replied cheerfully. Rei ran out the room with a lot of energy. "She smiled?!" stuttered Misato. Squall fainted to the floor. "SQUALL!"