Hey! I Could Be A Messenger From Hyne, Ya Know!-
A Misadventurous Romance Story
Chapter Four-What The @#$%?!
AN~Well, I'm sitting here now and listening to the ending to Chrono Trigger(the music, not the actual ending). I just wanted to say major THANX to the people who have reviewed so far. Now, we're drifting more into the romance part then the humor part. Embarrassing situations arise. This chapter is dedicated to NadiaZimbabwe, who put me on her 'Favorite Stories' list, and sabacat, who was nice enough to send me a personal E-mail telling me how much she liked my fic! Yay! I hope everyone likes it! ~tigerofthewind~
It was official. I was rooming with an asshole. The evidence was clear from the very first day, when I had woken up the next morning with a rather painful crick in my neck and back.
"Owie........."I muttered, and looked around. Somehow, I had rolled all the way under Seifer's desk and against his wall while I had slept. As it went, I don't think he could see me under there.
"Tilmitt? Hey, Tilmitt! I've got detention duty in twenty minutes and you've got class! Get your ass out here, now!"
Tee hee. It's so much fun to make his life miserable, isn't it?"BOO!!!"Screaming at the top my lungs and throwing the blankets over my head, I sprang out from underneath the desk and into his face.
"Holy---!"He managed a half-articulated curse, before swinging at me with the Hyperion.
Wait, the Hyperion?! Hey, that's---!
I didn't get a chance to think much else. As the deadly blade bit down into my shoulder, he fired. I screamed and crumpled to the ground, one hand going to my shoulder.
However, something had seemed wrong. The wound itself was fairly superficial, a painful gash, but not very deep. And the shots had missed me clearly. I realized that Seifer had pulled the hit at the last minute.
Which meant that he knew it was me.
"Teach you a lesson, eh, Tilmitt?"he said, and laughed, before waving cheerfully and heading out of the door. Straggling to my feet, I cast a Cura spell on myself and watched as the skin slowly stitched itself back up. Then, I changed into my instructor uniform and hurried to class.
Could you believe that?! Not even a single word of apology for attacking me! Is that guy majorly rude or what?! Man, if only he'd been around when I was fully armed with nunchaku, then I'd---!!!
As soon as I entered my classroom, there was a sudden burst of applause. Apparently, my students hadn't forgotten the events from yesterday, which made me glad. In the back stood, just as Seifer had informed me, seven new students, looking rather out of place. Sighing, I directed them to new seats, and set about teaching the lesson.
It was a hard and grueling day. It was the student's first lesson in nunchaku combat, but I came to realize that many of the students in my class weren't even specialists. What was I supposed to do, train each of the students to use their own individual weapons?! I didn't have that kind of time!
But it was all I could do. I wasn't about to deprive those kids of a proper lesson just because their dingus commander didn't hire a variety of specialists, instead of just one. So, I had to go back to the rudiments of my own training, which involved a little bit of martial arts, and some accuracy tests with projectile weapons and shurikens(a lot like Fujin's Zan, which several students had brought with them).
Luckily, about halfway through the lesson, Raijin came in and gave me a hand. Truthfully, I think he was sent by Seifer to keep me out of trouble, but I was so grateful for the help, that I didn't mind. Since Raijin's weapon was a quarter-staff, I assigned him the task of teaching the students the basics of close-range combat(basically, teaching the ones with short range weapons), while I tutored the rest of them on accuracy(those with long range weapons).
However, one student gave me a bit of a problem. Her name was Vienna, just like the mountains north of Trabia(when you go through the Trabia Canyon, you end up there). She had both a long and short range weapon---a gunblade. Knowing no other gunblade specialists besides Squall and Seifer(none of whom I could, nor wanted to, ask for assistance), I gave her time to catch up on the GF report that was due yesterday, since she had just transferred into my class this morning.
Classes dragged on, as usual. Raijin stayed and helped me out all day, until the last class. Even if he had been forced to do it, he was still pretty nice about the whole thing, so I thanked him politely as he went out the door. The last class in itself was pretty uneventful, it was just the younger students, who I read stories to all day, anyway.
I wondered why anyone would put the storytime class at the end of the day, because soon, all the children were asleep. I didn't know what to do. It was the first time the junior classmen had ever fallen asleep in my class before.
"Oh, Hyne,"came a voice suddenly from the doorway."The exploding Cactuar has now been replaced with an exploding Ruby Dragon."
"Can I help you, sir?"I asked, scrambling to my feet and unsuccessfully trying to stifle a yawn as I saluted Seifer."I've just finished class, and-- -"
"I know, Tilmitt. I stopped by to make sure you didn't go........wandering off again."His eyes themselves posed a threat. They were green, but a paler green than my own. It was frightening. We sat down together, staring at our sleeping futures.
"Well, I haven't,"I retorted, lowering my voice to a malicious hiss so as not to wake the children."Now, please leave. You're going to make them all wake up."
"They'll be scared enough by waking up to YOUR face, Tilmitt,"he snickered."Actually, you seem to have forgotten our deal."
"Stalking's illegal on all four continents,"I said idly, packing up the books I had finished reading. Some of them were actually pretty cute, involving outcast PuPus, and an ugly MiniMog that grew up to be a beautiful Moogle.
"I'm not STALKING you. Just makin' sure you stay outta trouble."To my ultimate surprise, his expression grew pensive as he turned his gaze down to the kids sleeping by my feet."I've been thinking about what you said, messenger girl. About these kids joining the army. I've decided to make it optional, instead of mandatory. And, corporal punishment is going to be strictly banned from the grounds."
Then, to my ever-growing surprise, he laughed."Fujin's going to be disappointed."
I frowned."Why, sir?"I asked softly."Aren't you afraid that these kids are going to grow up 'soft'?"
He shook his head."No.......I'm not."He stood up so suddenly that he nearly kicked one of the sleeping children in the head."I'm afraid that if I would've kept on the way I did, that these kids would have grown up to be just like me."
He started for the doorway, but something in the way he said his words made me jump out in front of him."Sir? Are you all right, sir?"
"What?"He shook his head furiously, and the fire was burning back again in his eyes."Butt out, Tilmitt! Jeez!"
I didn't want to admit it, but I was relieved. For a moment there, I thought maybe he was going to go commit suicide, or shoot up the whole Garden, or something like those horror stories I had seen on TV. And I don't think I could live with that, knowing that I'd been the last one to see him before then, and hadn't done anything. In a way, though, I kinda wanted to see him blow something(or himself, whichever the case may have been) up."S-Sorry, sir."
He paused at the doorway."8 o'clock at the front gate. By the way. Dress nice."
And walked away, leaving me standing there flabbergasted. As soon as he departed, there was a muffled squeak from the direction he had came from. I turned and saw Vienna standing at the doorway, her hands pressed so tightly over her mouth that her face had turned slightly blue from lack of breath.
"You and Commander Almasy are DATING?"she breathed, her eyes going wide.
"No!"I shouted, a little louder than I intended to."I'm not sure WHAT he wants me for, Vienna. Maybe it's to talk about your training,"I added pointedly. It did the trick; the little eavesdropper suddenly found her shoes to be extremely interesting.
"I know that my training with a gublade is going to make things hard on you, Instructor,"she admitted."But I won't change my weapon. It was my mother's. I'm an orphan, you see."
(Man, that sucks), I thought."It's okay, Vienna. I just didn't want you to have the wrong idea."I shuddered. "I can't stand the man."
She giggled, a little girl's unaffected giggle. I remembered back at Balamb, when I used to laugh in such a way. Had it really only been a month ago? Suddenly, I felt old."That's okay, Instructor. I just stopped by to give you my report. I chose......um, I chose Griever."
Griever? Now, that was interesting. A lot better than Shiva, which seemed to be the year's favorite."Thanks, Vienna. I'll try and get it graded tonight, so you'll be caught up tomorrow."
"Okay. Bye!"
"Bye."We exchanged farwells and waves, and I went to wake up the junior classmen so someone could take them back to their dorms(no one in Esthar Garden commuted, since we were officially in the middle of nowhere). I ended up getting two pudding cups and five graham crackers thrown at me before some seniors led the junior classmen back to their dorms.
Oh, great. Not only was I covered with dessert, but I was also supposed to meet my Commander(whom I can't stand, by the way) at the gate in two hours, and manage to look decent all at the same time.
Could this day get any worse?
**************************************************************************** *****
It could get worse. I had nothing to wear. This thought crossed my mind as I was heading back to my room. Basically, I'd counted on Esthar Garden to supply me with a uniform and an instructor's outfit. Which they had done, granted, but I hadn't counted on going to any formal things. So what was I supposed to do?
"Instructor!!!"Oh, thank Hyne. It was Mira. Maybe I could borrow something from her."Hey! I heard Commander Almasy just stopped by your room! You're not getting fired for throwing a dairy-based food product at him, are you?"
THAT one made me laugh, even if it was a little weary."No, Mira. Actually........do you have anything I could borrow? You know, a dress or something? I'm heading off for tonight, you know, have some fun."
"Of course!"Hyne bless Mira."Besides, you definitely need some time off, Instructor T.! Let me guess, that's what Commander Almasy wanted, right--- to give you some time off?"
"Right."We started heading towards her dorm. It wasn't a TOTAL lie, after all. Personally, I was dreading the whole thing. A public outing WOULD be the perfect place to get revenge, though. Tee hee!
Eventually, Mira and I decided on this navy blue dress that was the same color as my old Balamb Garden uniform. The dress itself was in two pieces, with a sarong wraparound skirt and a matching blue tank top. Thankfully, since I had no idea where I was going, there was a button-down dress shirt that went over the tank top. Honestly, I liked it. It had a nice islandish touch to it. A pair of silver strappy sandals, a silver dress watch, and a pair of silver earrings with sapphires in the center of them completed the look.
Where do girls get all those matching outfits, anyway? Do they just buy them like that, or have all the stuff conveniently laying around? Of course, this was coming from the girl who wore the same yellow sundress and brown boots day in and day out.
I just had enough time to paint my nails and toenails the same shade of blue before I was running down the halls to the front gate, barely thinking to grab a purse from Mira on the way out. No matter how cool I looked(which was very cool, if I do say so myself), I still couldn't help but dread tonight. What did he want me for, anyway? I hoped that I'd find some answers, and soon.
As I neared the front gate(I was running a few minutes late, mind you), I saw Seifer standing under the light of some random street lamp, pacing back and forth irritably. And, he was wearing a suit.
Yes, you heard correctly. It wasn't the buildup of wax in your ears, nor your crappy hearing aids that made my words sound distorted---I did say that he was wearing a SUIT. Now, this sight in itself almost made me fall over, but I managed to hold my ground. It was just---I mean---Hyne, you know what I mean. Anything outside of his usual covert ops trench coat was a shock.
Okay, so the suit in itself DID have a long coat, like a trench coat. No, wait............ As I neared him, I could see that it wasn't a suit in itself, but merely a black dress shirt and black slacks, with the coat over it. Well, damn. But hey, anything was a welcome change, right?
At the clicking of my heels on the pavement, he turned to face me, and his first look was that of immediate disgust."You call THAT dressed up?"
Hey! That wasn't fair! And it was mean!"Well, if you had told me where we were going, then maybe I could have dressed more accordingly, hunh?"I smiled. I had him there. And, while he was still trying to compose himself, I snapped a picture.
This idea had come when I had spied a disposable camera laying on Mira's desk. I asked her if I could borrow it. (And), I thought now,(it was a good thing I did. Stuff like this is priceless!)
"Tilmitt!"
"Tee hee. Okay, we can go. Erm.....where're we going?"I was surprised that I had enough energy to sound so friggin' cheerful. I'd simply done too much, this past month. I guess I was just running myself until I dropped. Not enough eating, not enough sleeping. I needed a vacation, honestly, but I was already treading thin ice as it was with the Commander of Esthar Garden(or, as I know him, the Beast, and the Esthar Asshole).
"............Executive dinner in Esthar."Reeeeeeeally? Now, THAT was interesting. Maybe I could dig some stuff up, there........ No! I said I'd stop doing that, and I really mean to! All those nice kids like Mira and Vienna wouldn't have anywhere to go if I were to sack the place!
"But, why am I going? I'm not on the executive board."
Was it just me, or did he suddenly avert his eyes?".............Keep you out of the computers while I'm gone."
"Oh."So THAT was why."But what's the dinner for? Any real reason?"
He turned to stare at me levelly."Hasn't anyone told you that you talk too much, Tilmitt?"
"Every day,"I admitted, then shrugged."I just don't let it get to me."
"Hmm.........."Well, I was getting used to the thoughtful look, now, so it wasn't as bizarre."Well, I might as well tell ya, so you know not to make an ass outta me tonight. It's a meeting to try and win over possible sponsors for Garden."
"Garden needs sponsors? I mean, it needs MORE sponsors?"
"..........Yeah. That's why the instructors quit last week---not enough pay."We boarded the light rail that would take us from Garden to Esthar."Why do you stay on, Tilmitt? Looks like you hate it here."
"Well, I like the kids. They're nicer to me than the ones back home. The students back home like to pull jokes on me."
"Like gum in the hair?"
"Or down a sundress,"I said pointedly, and he laughed. I really wanted to hit him. I don't think Flo would ever look at me the same way again."It's not the point, though. The point is, I like it better here."
"........Really. Or is it just because of your duty as a SeeD?"
"I TOLD you. I was gonna stop spying on you, and I did."
".........I'll be the judge of that,"he said curtly, and we rode the rest of the light rail in silence.
Did I mention how much Esthar creeps me out? Everything's blue---the tunnels that connect to different parts of the city, the streets, the cars(I wouldn't be surprised if I saw some blue people wandering around, to tell the truth). Plus, it's not crowded and noisy and fun, like Balamb or Deling. All the people wandering around in the streets are silent, and mostly just sit and read books.
"We're meeting at the Presidential Residence,"Seifer told me, walking by without a backward glance. I made a dorky face at his retreating back. Since Hyne seemed to have abandoned me to my cruel, cruel fate, I had no choice but to follow him.
Laguna's house was actually pretty cool. I craned my neck as soon as we entered, trying to see if I could find the oh-so-dreamy Sir himself, but the people were too tall and I........well, I was not. So, I asked the Beast."Where's Laguna?"
"President Loire?"He didn't seem like he cared."Around here, somewhere. He's one of the ones I'm trying to get to fund us."
That set me to thinking. Weren't Gardens unallowed to have government figures as private sponsors for their expenses? Well, I guessed not. I was pretty sure that Galbadia Garden had some sort of funding from General Caraway, even if it wasn't a lot. I dunno, maybe I just didn't want the Esthar government involved.
"Sir Seifer!"beamed some old and pompous dude, coming up behind us and vigorously shaking Seifer's hand."So good of you to come! And who is this lovely little lady?"He beamed at me, too. However, I didn't LIKE the way he beamed at me.
"This's Ti---Selphie, an instructor at Garden. You've heard of Gardens, I'm sure."It was funny, I thought, to watch Seifer try and put that jaunty, winning tone into his voice. I concentrated instead on a spot on the wallpaper, knowing that I would break down into hysterics otherwise.
Still, I had noticed something. Instead of calling me 'Tilmitt' or 'messenger girl'............
............Seifer had called me Selphie.
That made me want to giggle, too. So, to add to the spot on the wallpaper, I focused on the weird smell that seemed to be coming from all directions. Maybe, if I met Sir Laguna(which I hoped I did, by the way), I could kindly but firmly point out to him that plug-in air fresheners were his friend.
I discovered that the odd smell was the steaming, twisted gray lump of Blobra goo that someone had the nerve to call dinner. Apparently, everything was going as planned, into Sir Laguna went into the kitchens to grab a beer and slipped on a spot on the floor, slamming into the head cook. The head cook in turn flew into the stove, sending a saucepan full of sauteed onions up into the air. The pan fell onto an outstretched butcher knife, which then proceeded to fall onto the youngest kitchen boy's foot. They had to rush him to the hospital.
While all that was going on, the Malboro au jus(which I hated anyway, ew!) sizzled up in the oven and the oven exploded. Well, damn.
I poked at whatever was left of the poor creature(I had to pity it, even though the last one I had met gave me nothing but living hell) with my fork, and wrinkled my nose."Are we supposed to eat it?"I whispered to Seifer, who was sitting on my left and looking at the foul lump of nothing better than offal with the same look of disgust on his face.
".......I dunno. Just don't think about it."
The chatter proved to be more interested than the food; although, like the food, I felt like vomiting after enduring it for a period of time. To get my mind off of the foul smell, I concentrated on what everyone else was saying.
"So, Sir Seifer!"shouted another old man jovially, putting down his fork(ew! he ate it!) and turning to face us."You MUST tell us how you met your precious little lady!"
'Precious little lady'?! I couldn't help it. I started to choke. Sir Laguna(who'd been sitting on my other side, yay!) had to whack me on the back a couple of times. Seifer dropped his knife with a loud clattering noise.
"Me an' Tilmitt?!"he yelled, his eyes going big. Later on, I would wish that I had taken a picture of his face."Dating?! No way! I think you guys misunderstand---she's one of my instructors. That's all."The color seemed to go back into his face, and he went back to eating(or at least pretending to eat). The man(I recognized him to be the deputy mayor of Esthar, Something Howe) went on, uncharigned.
"Well, where did you meet her?"I was surprised to see Seifer's face beginning to turn the same shade of flaming red as Phoenix.
"...........Horizon Bridge. Wanted to be an instructor."
"Really? What does she teach?"
"............Bunch of things. Mainly basic knowledge and combat."
"She sounds very talented. Quite attractive, too."
"................................Mfft."The last response was more like a grunt than anything. I was pleased---at least he didn't cater himself to these snotty little weiner guys when it came to the subject of me---and disgusted, all at the same time. Ew! I think that Howe guy was eye-popping me!
(Man!)I thought, trying to find something to focus on instead of Howe and the nasty food. Instead, I concentrated on the LAST meal I had eaten, which was somewhat better.
Wait, what was it? Oh, yeah...........oops. It looks like the last thing'd I'd eaten had been when Seifer took me out to lunch, and I then proceeded to hurl it upon him.
It was that long ago? And when did I eat before that? Maybe breakfast that day before........? Or dinner two days before that? Jeez, it HAD been a long time since I'd eaten more than one meal a day. Or slept for more than five hours at a time.............. With my teaching schedule, I just didn't have any more time than that. With a start, I realized just how grueling being an instructor for Esthar WAS.
"Care for a glass of wine, dear?"Howe asked me, looking more than a little tipsy himself. I noticed that there were no other girls in the room, and that nearly every single one of the men was leering at me in one way, shape, or form(minus Sir Laguna, of course, who just looked embarrassed). And then there was poor Seifer, trying to get everyone off of the topic of me, and back to the topic of Garden(which was something that required actual THINKING).
"Actually, I was hoping to have a word with you all,"I said brightly, despite my utter revulsion and weariness. Laguna stopped chewing idly on his napkin, and Seifer lifted his head from where it had been laying on the table."It's about Garden. I know that a lot of people think that Garden's are just a waste of time and money, because there aren't any new threats of sorceresses or wars out there, but they're really not. It's not only a home for outcast children, it's also a place where the instructors can learn and grow, too."
I went on."I should know. Because of Garden, Esthar may be viewed as less of a threat from other countries, since the Garden will provide a feeling of familiarity, and also a space of neutral territory."
"What if we don't WANT to be viewed as less of a threat?"a member of the executive board(Sanduff, I remembered) snarled."We got power over other countries!"
"Exactly,"I said, quickly changing my tactics."Esthar Garden may be viewed as less of a threat, or as more of a threat. It depends on how intimidating we look. With our second-rate technology, inadequate staff, and lack of proper magic and GF's, we're a laughingstock. Extra funding,"I pressed, looking around at them all meaningfully,"could make the difference between an enpowerment and an embarrassment."
I stopped and tried to look around at them with the utmost cool and calm, but underneath of the table, I was shaking slightly, and my hands were nervously shredding my napkin to pieces. Suddenly, a hand came from out of nowhere and pulled them apart, taking ahold of my right one.
I turned sharply and looked at Seifer, but he was staring at the staff hard enough to pierce holes through them and didn't seem to be occupied by anything else. So that meant......... Slowly, I turned my head to Sir Laguna. The blood flowed to my cheeks as he gave a cheeky wink, turned a bit red himself and looked away, then squeezed my hand slightly.
I knew I must have looked positively doe-eyed at the moment, but I didn't care! Sir Laguna, acting so cute and huggable, to ME! Hyne, I knew how different apart we were in age(he had just turned 44, and I was 17, even though he didn't look it), but it didn't mean that I wasn't flattered and grateful, nonetheless. I beamed a smile up at him, and for once in the passage of tonight, meant it.
"Well said, Miss Selphie,"admitted Sandruff, and most of the executive board echoed his praise. A few weren't convinced, but enough were to the point that I didn't think funding was going to be any problem from here on in."I know that I shall contribute my personal funds to the maintenence of your Garden."
"As will I,"agreed Howe.
"Oh, and don't forget me,"to my greatest surprise and delight, added Sir Laguna."If Esthar's gonna keep it's defenses up, we definitely need a Garden."He let go of my hand, got to his feet, bowed to me, and then departed."This little lady's convinced me."
Damn. So he thought of me as just a 'little lady'. Well, I'd show him, one of these days! Something a LOT worse than just a stupid Malboro au jus!
Notice how no one can really get away with anything without me thinking of revenge. Come to think of it, I still hadn't thought of anything really nasty to do to get back at Seifer. I should've just kept silent about Garden, but..........I thought of Vienna, and couldn't do it.
"I propose a toast and a dance to Miss Selphie!"someone in the back practically roared(although no one, I repeat, NO ONE, could roar like the Beast), and similar roars echoed his proposition."Cheers!"
Wine glasses all clinked together(because of the drunken people's lack of coordination, I heard a few of them break, with simultaneous swears all around). And music for a slow song struck up.
"Tilmitt. Dance."I looked at Seifer like he'd suddenly sprouted an extraneous evil head.
"S-Sir?! I'm really tired, sir, and---"It was no lie. The sandals had been a bad motion on Mira's part. Note to self:Insert fungi spores from science lab into Mira's shoes. See? Told you. I like revenge.
"Direct order from your superior. Dance."
I looked around and saw that everyone was staring at us expectantly. Aha.......so that was it. I wondered if I should do anything evil to make him look like an ass out on the floor, then found out that I was too tired to plan anything.
I'd been wondering when he was going to use his 'direct-order-from- superior-trick' against me.
Trying not to sigh heavily aloud, I hauled myself to my feet and allowed myself to be led out to the middle of the throng of guests. At least the tune was a slow one(it was horribly romantic, too, but because that meant less pressure on my feet, I could forgive that---for now), so I didn't really have to think about the correct dancing moves.
Ah, it sure felt nice. If I could look aside from the PERSON I was dancing with, the dance itself wasn't bad. We just swayed back and forth for awhile, while I rested my head heavily on his shoulder(the rest of my body, however, was spaced with a good whole foot of room between us). Soon enough, I felt myself cloying to the will of sleep. I had just begun to drift off, when Seifer bent down(A LOT, because I was so short and he was so tall), and whispered in my ear:
"Tilmitt. Good work."I tried to salute(it was second-nature to me, by now), but my arms were pinned at my side. So, I just nodded.
"Thank you, sir,"I mumbled into his shoulder, my legs feeling like jelly beneath me.
"However, not only did you manage to steal the attention away from ME, which suggests that I hold no authority over my inferiors whatsoever, you also ignored my orders for you to dress nicely, and instead wore something that I think I saw a college student modeling at the beach. I think someone else could have done better in your stead."
Well, Hyne! My eyes snapped open wide at that, and I envisioned Seifer disintegrating, disintegrating, disintegrating; under the full-fledged power of a Meltdown spell. As it was, I contented myself with digging into his feet with one of my sandaled heels(no more fungi in Mira's shoes, note!), hearing his barely stifled curse of pain and astonishment, and stalking away.
Outside of President Loire's house, and down the steps that led to the street. I was almost to the bottom, when I tripped and fell down the rest of the steps, banging myself up something good on the hard pavement. As soon as I hit bottom, though, I couldn't move. I didn't even have the strength to pull myself into a sitting position; I was too tired. It was the weirdest feeling I'd ever had in my entire life, it was like my whole body was shutting down. It scared me, but I was too tired to do anything about it.
Suddenly, I heard a voice from very far up above me."Holy Hyne, Tilmitt! Hey, she's---!"
The thudding of footsteps on pavement, and a slight skidding noise as someone halted to a stop right near my face."Tilmitt! Hey, Tilmitt! Come on! Snap outta it! Man, you can't die on me! Who the hell else am I gonna find to cope with the stupidity of the exec. board?!"
Aha......so that was it. But there was a raw edge of panic in Seifer's voice, something I had never heard there before. More footsteps, and more voices.
"Sir Seifer, what happened?"
"Did the girl fall?"
"Should someone get a doctor?"
Seifer's voice again."No.........wait."A strangled noise of disbelief."Oh, Hyne! I can't believe it! She's sleeping! The little messenger girl is SLEEPING!"
Collective noises of disbelief. Ah, so I was sleeping, was I? Finally.........the first time in a long time. Then, there was a laugh.
"Ha ha ha.......and I thought MY job was taxing."Sir Laguna! At his voice, I tried to wake myself. But it was really weird. It was like......my mind was just a spectator, and all my body could do was lie there.
"Ah, well............if we had more sponsors, we'd have enough money to hire more instructors, and she wouldn't have to trip and fall down a flight of steps before dropping off to sleep,"I heard Seifer say pointedly. Shuffling of feet on the pavement, and I just picture the looks of embarrassment on the men's faces.
"Well,"said Howe finally."I suppose we had better go back in and get something to drink. Sir Seifer, would you like to wake the young lady up and accompany us?"
No, no, NO! He WOULDN'T!
He didn't."................No. I think I'll take her back to Garden and let her go to bed."
"Hmmmm, I doubt that,"laughed Sanduff. I didn't get it. What was so funny? Maybe it was an inside joke, or a guy's joke, or something.
"Hey---!"Something told me that Seifer bit back a retort just in time. After all, we did have to do some major ass-kissing to get where we were now, and I don't think he wanted to lose it."No, it's not what you think. I've got classes to plan in the morning, anyway. Due to the teacher shortage, I've had to fill in for a few shifts."Again, that pointed tone."I thank you gentleman kindly, and look forward to sharing Esthar Garden's sponsorship with you."
Funny, how he could be polite to people he didn't know that well, but completely rude to everyone who knew the most about him. Then again, most of the people he knew(including me, by the way) didn't really have a gil to their name.
I heard the swishing noise of clothing, then something both soft and hard slide under my shoulderblades as I felt myself being lifted off of the ground. Being jounced and jostled along, we headed off(secretly, I wished it was Sir Laguna who was carrying me, instead of Seifer).
"Two tickets for the light rail to Esthar Garden."
"Oh, Sir Seifer!"The ticketseller sounded undeniably female."What happened to your cute friend?"
"She's sleeping, Aeiz. Besides, she doesn't swing that way, anyway. Don't worry, I'll find you someone who does."
What?! This chick was a lesbian?! I wanted to wake up and talk to her, but again, I couldn't. I'd never seen a lesbian before in my lifetime. I mean, I'd heard Zell muttering every now and then about how one of his ex- girlfriends had suddenly decided to break up with him and become one, but..........
"Well, that's too bad. She's a beaut."A brief silence."Here's your tickets, Sir."
".........Thanks."More jouncing and jostling. I heard the electronic beep of the light rail doors opening. Two steps more of jouncing and jostling, then we sat down. I think I was stretched out across him.
There was silence for some time, until a long-suffering sigh uttered in a strong baritone voice caused me to open my eyes.
Open my eyes?! NO!!! I made a small groan, trying to fight to stay asleep, but it just didn't work. My eyes fluttered open and fixed on Seifer, who was staring blankly at one of the tram poles from beneath lowered lashes, his peridot-colored eyes dull. At the weird noise that I had made, however, he looked down at me.
"..........Go back to sleep, Tilmitt. There's still another fifteen minutes before the light rail reaches Garden."
"That's okay."I sat up and untangled myself from his lap(blush!) before settling into the seat next to him. I laughed."Tee hee! I bet it was pretty funny, to see me sprawled out on the street in this ungainly heap, hunh? I just don't know what came over me."
After a few hours of sleep, my cheerfulness had returned. Seifer closed his eyes wearily. It was like seeing a light in a window being snuffed out."..............Gave me a shock."
"Oh, well, sorry. I guess I was just tired."
"........Too much work?"
Well, there was no point in lying."Yeah. But, because of all those sponsors we got, I won't have to worry about that, will I?"
".....The kids still like you. I can't transfer them out of your class."
"He-ey! After I just saved your ass, you still can't give me a break?! Talk about rude! Butthead!"
Jeez, why couldn't he give me a break?! I TRIED being friendly, and it just didn't work! Well, to hell with it all! He could just STAY an asshole, for all I cared! Come tomorrow, I was heading back to Balamb!
"............No, I still can't give you a break. It's just not the way I am. Being nice to everyone expends too much energy---you should know."His eyes opened again, only to be fixed right on me. I hated it when he did that, just because his eyes glowed with that creepy fire that made me feel like his stare would burn a hole right through me(which I bet he would find to be a rather useful talent, like Quisty's Laser Eye, whenever someone was pissing him off).
"Well, you could at least try. I hate you. Your students are scared of you. And everyone else just thinks you're weird."
"....................."
Once again, I was surprised to see that he had nothing to say. So, I just ignored him, and dropped my head back onto the compartment seat and soon fell asleep again.
I was awakened by the sensation of being lifted again. This time, I was fully awake, and just chose to pretend that I was asleep. Pretending to be awake(or actually being awake, rather) required too much energy. Maybe it was like what Seifer had said. Sometimes, I did have to work really hard to be cheerful to people, especially when I was feeling down. Maybe he just felt down all the time, and so it didn't really work out.
Oh, whatever! I really didn't care! I was trapped in the crappiest position of a lifetime! I was sent here as a spy, only to find out that some kids hit a soft spot with me, and now I can't do it! Not only that, but I'm also HELPING the enemy by negotiating favorable conditions for them with the Esthar government! Oh, Hyne! How had I gotten myself into this mess?!
The sound of a door opening. I was shocked to feel myself not being laid on a cold, hard, floor, but instead in a soft, warm, bed! I tried to wake up to see what the hell was going on. But the bed was just such a welcome relief after a floor, then pavement, then the seat of a light rail, and I soon found myself to be asleep(for the third time that day).
I woke up the next morning to discover that I was in my old dorm room, and that Seifer was sleeping in the far left corner, near the door. With his back against the wall, his head bowed between his legs, and the Hyperion slung over one shoulder, he looked vaguely like Irvine did whenever he sat down and tried to gather his courage before doing a big asassination job. With a pang, I realized how much I missed Balamb, and all my friends. My threat to leave and go back there still rung in my head, too. Would I really do it?
............No. I don't think I'd do it. I had Mira, and Vienna, and all the other kids(even the junior classmen, even if they did like to decorate me like dessert). I think, truthfully, I LIKED being an instructor, how matter how exhausting it was.
I sighed, and the noise, no matter how slight it was(I think he'd be the type to be a really light sleeper, anyway) caused Seifer to jerk his head up and arise from his stupor, shaking his head in a disgruntled sort of way."Hiya,"I said, smiling at him, taking joy in knowing that his back had to hurt like holy Hyne for sleeping against a wall."Thanks for bringing me here. I guess you still couldn't trust me enough to leave me on my own, hunh?"
"................I don't trust anyone."
I could believe that. The Beast went on."..........I've got class in a few minutes, anyway. Meet me in my office during your lunch hour---there's a subject I want to broach with you."He stood, stretched, and grabbed his coat before heading out the door. I noticed that he was still wearing the black dress clothes from last night. I was still in my sarong and tank top.
Later on, when I would try to think of a way to describe the events that had happened last night, and this morning, I could only come up with one thought:
What the @#$%?!
AN~Well, what does everyone think? LoL! As you can clearly see, this chapter was a little more fluff(well, not really FLUFF, but you know what I mean), and less humor. Basically, the breaking point of each other's barriers. BTW, the two of them still hate each other(check out some of the paragraphs from the ending), but it's kinda wearing thin. Ch. 5 is coming out, soon---'Ew! That's Gross!' Until then, you know how much I like reviews! Oh, don't yell about the little LagunaXSelphie thingie I popped in the middle, there. As you can clearly see from the summary, they don't get together.*wink* It's just to remind everyone of the little puppy adoration she has of him, back from the SSW(Second Sorceress War). Well, until next time, please review! I really hope everyone will keep reading this! ~tigerofthewind~
Chapter Four-What The @#$%?!
AN~Well, I'm sitting here now and listening to the ending to Chrono Trigger(the music, not the actual ending). I just wanted to say major THANX to the people who have reviewed so far. Now, we're drifting more into the romance part then the humor part. Embarrassing situations arise. This chapter is dedicated to NadiaZimbabwe, who put me on her 'Favorite Stories' list, and sabacat, who was nice enough to send me a personal E-mail telling me how much she liked my fic! Yay! I hope everyone likes it! ~tigerofthewind~
It was official. I was rooming with an asshole. The evidence was clear from the very first day, when I had woken up the next morning with a rather painful crick in my neck and back.
"Owie........."I muttered, and looked around. Somehow, I had rolled all the way under Seifer's desk and against his wall while I had slept. As it went, I don't think he could see me under there.
"Tilmitt? Hey, Tilmitt! I've got detention duty in twenty minutes and you've got class! Get your ass out here, now!"
Tee hee. It's so much fun to make his life miserable, isn't it?"BOO!!!"Screaming at the top my lungs and throwing the blankets over my head, I sprang out from underneath the desk and into his face.
"Holy---!"He managed a half-articulated curse, before swinging at me with the Hyperion.
Wait, the Hyperion?! Hey, that's---!
I didn't get a chance to think much else. As the deadly blade bit down into my shoulder, he fired. I screamed and crumpled to the ground, one hand going to my shoulder.
However, something had seemed wrong. The wound itself was fairly superficial, a painful gash, but not very deep. And the shots had missed me clearly. I realized that Seifer had pulled the hit at the last minute.
Which meant that he knew it was me.
"Teach you a lesson, eh, Tilmitt?"he said, and laughed, before waving cheerfully and heading out of the door. Straggling to my feet, I cast a Cura spell on myself and watched as the skin slowly stitched itself back up. Then, I changed into my instructor uniform and hurried to class.
Could you believe that?! Not even a single word of apology for attacking me! Is that guy majorly rude or what?! Man, if only he'd been around when I was fully armed with nunchaku, then I'd---!!!
As soon as I entered my classroom, there was a sudden burst of applause. Apparently, my students hadn't forgotten the events from yesterday, which made me glad. In the back stood, just as Seifer had informed me, seven new students, looking rather out of place. Sighing, I directed them to new seats, and set about teaching the lesson.
It was a hard and grueling day. It was the student's first lesson in nunchaku combat, but I came to realize that many of the students in my class weren't even specialists. What was I supposed to do, train each of the students to use their own individual weapons?! I didn't have that kind of time!
But it was all I could do. I wasn't about to deprive those kids of a proper lesson just because their dingus commander didn't hire a variety of specialists, instead of just one. So, I had to go back to the rudiments of my own training, which involved a little bit of martial arts, and some accuracy tests with projectile weapons and shurikens(a lot like Fujin's Zan, which several students had brought with them).
Luckily, about halfway through the lesson, Raijin came in and gave me a hand. Truthfully, I think he was sent by Seifer to keep me out of trouble, but I was so grateful for the help, that I didn't mind. Since Raijin's weapon was a quarter-staff, I assigned him the task of teaching the students the basics of close-range combat(basically, teaching the ones with short range weapons), while I tutored the rest of them on accuracy(those with long range weapons).
However, one student gave me a bit of a problem. Her name was Vienna, just like the mountains north of Trabia(when you go through the Trabia Canyon, you end up there). She had both a long and short range weapon---a gunblade. Knowing no other gunblade specialists besides Squall and Seifer(none of whom I could, nor wanted to, ask for assistance), I gave her time to catch up on the GF report that was due yesterday, since she had just transferred into my class this morning.
Classes dragged on, as usual. Raijin stayed and helped me out all day, until the last class. Even if he had been forced to do it, he was still pretty nice about the whole thing, so I thanked him politely as he went out the door. The last class in itself was pretty uneventful, it was just the younger students, who I read stories to all day, anyway.
I wondered why anyone would put the storytime class at the end of the day, because soon, all the children were asleep. I didn't know what to do. It was the first time the junior classmen had ever fallen asleep in my class before.
"Oh, Hyne,"came a voice suddenly from the doorway."The exploding Cactuar has now been replaced with an exploding Ruby Dragon."
"Can I help you, sir?"I asked, scrambling to my feet and unsuccessfully trying to stifle a yawn as I saluted Seifer."I've just finished class, and-- -"
"I know, Tilmitt. I stopped by to make sure you didn't go........wandering off again."His eyes themselves posed a threat. They were green, but a paler green than my own. It was frightening. We sat down together, staring at our sleeping futures.
"Well, I haven't,"I retorted, lowering my voice to a malicious hiss so as not to wake the children."Now, please leave. You're going to make them all wake up."
"They'll be scared enough by waking up to YOUR face, Tilmitt,"he snickered."Actually, you seem to have forgotten our deal."
"Stalking's illegal on all four continents,"I said idly, packing up the books I had finished reading. Some of them were actually pretty cute, involving outcast PuPus, and an ugly MiniMog that grew up to be a beautiful Moogle.
"I'm not STALKING you. Just makin' sure you stay outta trouble."To my ultimate surprise, his expression grew pensive as he turned his gaze down to the kids sleeping by my feet."I've been thinking about what you said, messenger girl. About these kids joining the army. I've decided to make it optional, instead of mandatory. And, corporal punishment is going to be strictly banned from the grounds."
Then, to my ever-growing surprise, he laughed."Fujin's going to be disappointed."
I frowned."Why, sir?"I asked softly."Aren't you afraid that these kids are going to grow up 'soft'?"
He shook his head."No.......I'm not."He stood up so suddenly that he nearly kicked one of the sleeping children in the head."I'm afraid that if I would've kept on the way I did, that these kids would have grown up to be just like me."
He started for the doorway, but something in the way he said his words made me jump out in front of him."Sir? Are you all right, sir?"
"What?"He shook his head furiously, and the fire was burning back again in his eyes."Butt out, Tilmitt! Jeez!"
I didn't want to admit it, but I was relieved. For a moment there, I thought maybe he was going to go commit suicide, or shoot up the whole Garden, or something like those horror stories I had seen on TV. And I don't think I could live with that, knowing that I'd been the last one to see him before then, and hadn't done anything. In a way, though, I kinda wanted to see him blow something(or himself, whichever the case may have been) up."S-Sorry, sir."
He paused at the doorway."8 o'clock at the front gate. By the way. Dress nice."
And walked away, leaving me standing there flabbergasted. As soon as he departed, there was a muffled squeak from the direction he had came from. I turned and saw Vienna standing at the doorway, her hands pressed so tightly over her mouth that her face had turned slightly blue from lack of breath.
"You and Commander Almasy are DATING?"she breathed, her eyes going wide.
"No!"I shouted, a little louder than I intended to."I'm not sure WHAT he wants me for, Vienna. Maybe it's to talk about your training,"I added pointedly. It did the trick; the little eavesdropper suddenly found her shoes to be extremely interesting.
"I know that my training with a gublade is going to make things hard on you, Instructor,"she admitted."But I won't change my weapon. It was my mother's. I'm an orphan, you see."
(Man, that sucks), I thought."It's okay, Vienna. I just didn't want you to have the wrong idea."I shuddered. "I can't stand the man."
She giggled, a little girl's unaffected giggle. I remembered back at Balamb, when I used to laugh in such a way. Had it really only been a month ago? Suddenly, I felt old."That's okay, Instructor. I just stopped by to give you my report. I chose......um, I chose Griever."
Griever? Now, that was interesting. A lot better than Shiva, which seemed to be the year's favorite."Thanks, Vienna. I'll try and get it graded tonight, so you'll be caught up tomorrow."
"Okay. Bye!"
"Bye."We exchanged farwells and waves, and I went to wake up the junior classmen so someone could take them back to their dorms(no one in Esthar Garden commuted, since we were officially in the middle of nowhere). I ended up getting two pudding cups and five graham crackers thrown at me before some seniors led the junior classmen back to their dorms.
Oh, great. Not only was I covered with dessert, but I was also supposed to meet my Commander(whom I can't stand, by the way) at the gate in two hours, and manage to look decent all at the same time.
Could this day get any worse?
**************************************************************************** *****
It could get worse. I had nothing to wear. This thought crossed my mind as I was heading back to my room. Basically, I'd counted on Esthar Garden to supply me with a uniform and an instructor's outfit. Which they had done, granted, but I hadn't counted on going to any formal things. So what was I supposed to do?
"Instructor!!!"Oh, thank Hyne. It was Mira. Maybe I could borrow something from her."Hey! I heard Commander Almasy just stopped by your room! You're not getting fired for throwing a dairy-based food product at him, are you?"
THAT one made me laugh, even if it was a little weary."No, Mira. Actually........do you have anything I could borrow? You know, a dress or something? I'm heading off for tonight, you know, have some fun."
"Of course!"Hyne bless Mira."Besides, you definitely need some time off, Instructor T.! Let me guess, that's what Commander Almasy wanted, right--- to give you some time off?"
"Right."We started heading towards her dorm. It wasn't a TOTAL lie, after all. Personally, I was dreading the whole thing. A public outing WOULD be the perfect place to get revenge, though. Tee hee!
Eventually, Mira and I decided on this navy blue dress that was the same color as my old Balamb Garden uniform. The dress itself was in two pieces, with a sarong wraparound skirt and a matching blue tank top. Thankfully, since I had no idea where I was going, there was a button-down dress shirt that went over the tank top. Honestly, I liked it. It had a nice islandish touch to it. A pair of silver strappy sandals, a silver dress watch, and a pair of silver earrings with sapphires in the center of them completed the look.
Where do girls get all those matching outfits, anyway? Do they just buy them like that, or have all the stuff conveniently laying around? Of course, this was coming from the girl who wore the same yellow sundress and brown boots day in and day out.
I just had enough time to paint my nails and toenails the same shade of blue before I was running down the halls to the front gate, barely thinking to grab a purse from Mira on the way out. No matter how cool I looked(which was very cool, if I do say so myself), I still couldn't help but dread tonight. What did he want me for, anyway? I hoped that I'd find some answers, and soon.
As I neared the front gate(I was running a few minutes late, mind you), I saw Seifer standing under the light of some random street lamp, pacing back and forth irritably. And, he was wearing a suit.
Yes, you heard correctly. It wasn't the buildup of wax in your ears, nor your crappy hearing aids that made my words sound distorted---I did say that he was wearing a SUIT. Now, this sight in itself almost made me fall over, but I managed to hold my ground. It was just---I mean---Hyne, you know what I mean. Anything outside of his usual covert ops trench coat was a shock.
Okay, so the suit in itself DID have a long coat, like a trench coat. No, wait............ As I neared him, I could see that it wasn't a suit in itself, but merely a black dress shirt and black slacks, with the coat over it. Well, damn. But hey, anything was a welcome change, right?
At the clicking of my heels on the pavement, he turned to face me, and his first look was that of immediate disgust."You call THAT dressed up?"
Hey! That wasn't fair! And it was mean!"Well, if you had told me where we were going, then maybe I could have dressed more accordingly, hunh?"I smiled. I had him there. And, while he was still trying to compose himself, I snapped a picture.
This idea had come when I had spied a disposable camera laying on Mira's desk. I asked her if I could borrow it. (And), I thought now,(it was a good thing I did. Stuff like this is priceless!)
"Tilmitt!"
"Tee hee. Okay, we can go. Erm.....where're we going?"I was surprised that I had enough energy to sound so friggin' cheerful. I'd simply done too much, this past month. I guess I was just running myself until I dropped. Not enough eating, not enough sleeping. I needed a vacation, honestly, but I was already treading thin ice as it was with the Commander of Esthar Garden(or, as I know him, the Beast, and the Esthar Asshole).
"............Executive dinner in Esthar."Reeeeeeeally? Now, THAT was interesting. Maybe I could dig some stuff up, there........ No! I said I'd stop doing that, and I really mean to! All those nice kids like Mira and Vienna wouldn't have anywhere to go if I were to sack the place!
"But, why am I going? I'm not on the executive board."
Was it just me, or did he suddenly avert his eyes?".............Keep you out of the computers while I'm gone."
"Oh."So THAT was why."But what's the dinner for? Any real reason?"
He turned to stare at me levelly."Hasn't anyone told you that you talk too much, Tilmitt?"
"Every day,"I admitted, then shrugged."I just don't let it get to me."
"Hmm.........."Well, I was getting used to the thoughtful look, now, so it wasn't as bizarre."Well, I might as well tell ya, so you know not to make an ass outta me tonight. It's a meeting to try and win over possible sponsors for Garden."
"Garden needs sponsors? I mean, it needs MORE sponsors?"
"..........Yeah. That's why the instructors quit last week---not enough pay."We boarded the light rail that would take us from Garden to Esthar."Why do you stay on, Tilmitt? Looks like you hate it here."
"Well, I like the kids. They're nicer to me than the ones back home. The students back home like to pull jokes on me."
"Like gum in the hair?"
"Or down a sundress,"I said pointedly, and he laughed. I really wanted to hit him. I don't think Flo would ever look at me the same way again."It's not the point, though. The point is, I like it better here."
"........Really. Or is it just because of your duty as a SeeD?"
"I TOLD you. I was gonna stop spying on you, and I did."
".........I'll be the judge of that,"he said curtly, and we rode the rest of the light rail in silence.
Did I mention how much Esthar creeps me out? Everything's blue---the tunnels that connect to different parts of the city, the streets, the cars(I wouldn't be surprised if I saw some blue people wandering around, to tell the truth). Plus, it's not crowded and noisy and fun, like Balamb or Deling. All the people wandering around in the streets are silent, and mostly just sit and read books.
"We're meeting at the Presidential Residence,"Seifer told me, walking by without a backward glance. I made a dorky face at his retreating back. Since Hyne seemed to have abandoned me to my cruel, cruel fate, I had no choice but to follow him.
Laguna's house was actually pretty cool. I craned my neck as soon as we entered, trying to see if I could find the oh-so-dreamy Sir himself, but the people were too tall and I........well, I was not. So, I asked the Beast."Where's Laguna?"
"President Loire?"He didn't seem like he cared."Around here, somewhere. He's one of the ones I'm trying to get to fund us."
That set me to thinking. Weren't Gardens unallowed to have government figures as private sponsors for their expenses? Well, I guessed not. I was pretty sure that Galbadia Garden had some sort of funding from General Caraway, even if it wasn't a lot. I dunno, maybe I just didn't want the Esthar government involved.
"Sir Seifer!"beamed some old and pompous dude, coming up behind us and vigorously shaking Seifer's hand."So good of you to come! And who is this lovely little lady?"He beamed at me, too. However, I didn't LIKE the way he beamed at me.
"This's Ti---Selphie, an instructor at Garden. You've heard of Gardens, I'm sure."It was funny, I thought, to watch Seifer try and put that jaunty, winning tone into his voice. I concentrated instead on a spot on the wallpaper, knowing that I would break down into hysterics otherwise.
Still, I had noticed something. Instead of calling me 'Tilmitt' or 'messenger girl'............
............Seifer had called me Selphie.
That made me want to giggle, too. So, to add to the spot on the wallpaper, I focused on the weird smell that seemed to be coming from all directions. Maybe, if I met Sir Laguna(which I hoped I did, by the way), I could kindly but firmly point out to him that plug-in air fresheners were his friend.
I discovered that the odd smell was the steaming, twisted gray lump of Blobra goo that someone had the nerve to call dinner. Apparently, everything was going as planned, into Sir Laguna went into the kitchens to grab a beer and slipped on a spot on the floor, slamming into the head cook. The head cook in turn flew into the stove, sending a saucepan full of sauteed onions up into the air. The pan fell onto an outstretched butcher knife, which then proceeded to fall onto the youngest kitchen boy's foot. They had to rush him to the hospital.
While all that was going on, the Malboro au jus(which I hated anyway, ew!) sizzled up in the oven and the oven exploded. Well, damn.
I poked at whatever was left of the poor creature(I had to pity it, even though the last one I had met gave me nothing but living hell) with my fork, and wrinkled my nose."Are we supposed to eat it?"I whispered to Seifer, who was sitting on my left and looking at the foul lump of nothing better than offal with the same look of disgust on his face.
".......I dunno. Just don't think about it."
The chatter proved to be more interested than the food; although, like the food, I felt like vomiting after enduring it for a period of time. To get my mind off of the foul smell, I concentrated on what everyone else was saying.
"So, Sir Seifer!"shouted another old man jovially, putting down his fork(ew! he ate it!) and turning to face us."You MUST tell us how you met your precious little lady!"
'Precious little lady'?! I couldn't help it. I started to choke. Sir Laguna(who'd been sitting on my other side, yay!) had to whack me on the back a couple of times. Seifer dropped his knife with a loud clattering noise.
"Me an' Tilmitt?!"he yelled, his eyes going big. Later on, I would wish that I had taken a picture of his face."Dating?! No way! I think you guys misunderstand---she's one of my instructors. That's all."The color seemed to go back into his face, and he went back to eating(or at least pretending to eat). The man(I recognized him to be the deputy mayor of Esthar, Something Howe) went on, uncharigned.
"Well, where did you meet her?"I was surprised to see Seifer's face beginning to turn the same shade of flaming red as Phoenix.
"...........Horizon Bridge. Wanted to be an instructor."
"Really? What does she teach?"
"............Bunch of things. Mainly basic knowledge and combat."
"She sounds very talented. Quite attractive, too."
"................................Mfft."The last response was more like a grunt than anything. I was pleased---at least he didn't cater himself to these snotty little weiner guys when it came to the subject of me---and disgusted, all at the same time. Ew! I think that Howe guy was eye-popping me!
(Man!)I thought, trying to find something to focus on instead of Howe and the nasty food. Instead, I concentrated on the LAST meal I had eaten, which was somewhat better.
Wait, what was it? Oh, yeah...........oops. It looks like the last thing'd I'd eaten had been when Seifer took me out to lunch, and I then proceeded to hurl it upon him.
It was that long ago? And when did I eat before that? Maybe breakfast that day before........? Or dinner two days before that? Jeez, it HAD been a long time since I'd eaten more than one meal a day. Or slept for more than five hours at a time.............. With my teaching schedule, I just didn't have any more time than that. With a start, I realized just how grueling being an instructor for Esthar WAS.
"Care for a glass of wine, dear?"Howe asked me, looking more than a little tipsy himself. I noticed that there were no other girls in the room, and that nearly every single one of the men was leering at me in one way, shape, or form(minus Sir Laguna, of course, who just looked embarrassed). And then there was poor Seifer, trying to get everyone off of the topic of me, and back to the topic of Garden(which was something that required actual THINKING).
"Actually, I was hoping to have a word with you all,"I said brightly, despite my utter revulsion and weariness. Laguna stopped chewing idly on his napkin, and Seifer lifted his head from where it had been laying on the table."It's about Garden. I know that a lot of people think that Garden's are just a waste of time and money, because there aren't any new threats of sorceresses or wars out there, but they're really not. It's not only a home for outcast children, it's also a place where the instructors can learn and grow, too."
I went on."I should know. Because of Garden, Esthar may be viewed as less of a threat from other countries, since the Garden will provide a feeling of familiarity, and also a space of neutral territory."
"What if we don't WANT to be viewed as less of a threat?"a member of the executive board(Sanduff, I remembered) snarled."We got power over other countries!"
"Exactly,"I said, quickly changing my tactics."Esthar Garden may be viewed as less of a threat, or as more of a threat. It depends on how intimidating we look. With our second-rate technology, inadequate staff, and lack of proper magic and GF's, we're a laughingstock. Extra funding,"I pressed, looking around at them all meaningfully,"could make the difference between an enpowerment and an embarrassment."
I stopped and tried to look around at them with the utmost cool and calm, but underneath of the table, I was shaking slightly, and my hands were nervously shredding my napkin to pieces. Suddenly, a hand came from out of nowhere and pulled them apart, taking ahold of my right one.
I turned sharply and looked at Seifer, but he was staring at the staff hard enough to pierce holes through them and didn't seem to be occupied by anything else. So that meant......... Slowly, I turned my head to Sir Laguna. The blood flowed to my cheeks as he gave a cheeky wink, turned a bit red himself and looked away, then squeezed my hand slightly.
I knew I must have looked positively doe-eyed at the moment, but I didn't care! Sir Laguna, acting so cute and huggable, to ME! Hyne, I knew how different apart we were in age(he had just turned 44, and I was 17, even though he didn't look it), but it didn't mean that I wasn't flattered and grateful, nonetheless. I beamed a smile up at him, and for once in the passage of tonight, meant it.
"Well said, Miss Selphie,"admitted Sandruff, and most of the executive board echoed his praise. A few weren't convinced, but enough were to the point that I didn't think funding was going to be any problem from here on in."I know that I shall contribute my personal funds to the maintenence of your Garden."
"As will I,"agreed Howe.
"Oh, and don't forget me,"to my greatest surprise and delight, added Sir Laguna."If Esthar's gonna keep it's defenses up, we definitely need a Garden."He let go of my hand, got to his feet, bowed to me, and then departed."This little lady's convinced me."
Damn. So he thought of me as just a 'little lady'. Well, I'd show him, one of these days! Something a LOT worse than just a stupid Malboro au jus!
Notice how no one can really get away with anything without me thinking of revenge. Come to think of it, I still hadn't thought of anything really nasty to do to get back at Seifer. I should've just kept silent about Garden, but..........I thought of Vienna, and couldn't do it.
"I propose a toast and a dance to Miss Selphie!"someone in the back practically roared(although no one, I repeat, NO ONE, could roar like the Beast), and similar roars echoed his proposition."Cheers!"
Wine glasses all clinked together(because of the drunken people's lack of coordination, I heard a few of them break, with simultaneous swears all around). And music for a slow song struck up.
"Tilmitt. Dance."I looked at Seifer like he'd suddenly sprouted an extraneous evil head.
"S-Sir?! I'm really tired, sir, and---"It was no lie. The sandals had been a bad motion on Mira's part. Note to self:Insert fungi spores from science lab into Mira's shoes. See? Told you. I like revenge.
"Direct order from your superior. Dance."
I looked around and saw that everyone was staring at us expectantly. Aha.......so that was it. I wondered if I should do anything evil to make him look like an ass out on the floor, then found out that I was too tired to plan anything.
I'd been wondering when he was going to use his 'direct-order-from- superior-trick' against me.
Trying not to sigh heavily aloud, I hauled myself to my feet and allowed myself to be led out to the middle of the throng of guests. At least the tune was a slow one(it was horribly romantic, too, but because that meant less pressure on my feet, I could forgive that---for now), so I didn't really have to think about the correct dancing moves.
Ah, it sure felt nice. If I could look aside from the PERSON I was dancing with, the dance itself wasn't bad. We just swayed back and forth for awhile, while I rested my head heavily on his shoulder(the rest of my body, however, was spaced with a good whole foot of room between us). Soon enough, I felt myself cloying to the will of sleep. I had just begun to drift off, when Seifer bent down(A LOT, because I was so short and he was so tall), and whispered in my ear:
"Tilmitt. Good work."I tried to salute(it was second-nature to me, by now), but my arms were pinned at my side. So, I just nodded.
"Thank you, sir,"I mumbled into his shoulder, my legs feeling like jelly beneath me.
"However, not only did you manage to steal the attention away from ME, which suggests that I hold no authority over my inferiors whatsoever, you also ignored my orders for you to dress nicely, and instead wore something that I think I saw a college student modeling at the beach. I think someone else could have done better in your stead."
Well, Hyne! My eyes snapped open wide at that, and I envisioned Seifer disintegrating, disintegrating, disintegrating; under the full-fledged power of a Meltdown spell. As it was, I contented myself with digging into his feet with one of my sandaled heels(no more fungi in Mira's shoes, note!), hearing his barely stifled curse of pain and astonishment, and stalking away.
Outside of President Loire's house, and down the steps that led to the street. I was almost to the bottom, when I tripped and fell down the rest of the steps, banging myself up something good on the hard pavement. As soon as I hit bottom, though, I couldn't move. I didn't even have the strength to pull myself into a sitting position; I was too tired. It was the weirdest feeling I'd ever had in my entire life, it was like my whole body was shutting down. It scared me, but I was too tired to do anything about it.
Suddenly, I heard a voice from very far up above me."Holy Hyne, Tilmitt! Hey, she's---!"
The thudding of footsteps on pavement, and a slight skidding noise as someone halted to a stop right near my face."Tilmitt! Hey, Tilmitt! Come on! Snap outta it! Man, you can't die on me! Who the hell else am I gonna find to cope with the stupidity of the exec. board?!"
Aha......so that was it. But there was a raw edge of panic in Seifer's voice, something I had never heard there before. More footsteps, and more voices.
"Sir Seifer, what happened?"
"Did the girl fall?"
"Should someone get a doctor?"
Seifer's voice again."No.........wait."A strangled noise of disbelief."Oh, Hyne! I can't believe it! She's sleeping! The little messenger girl is SLEEPING!"
Collective noises of disbelief. Ah, so I was sleeping, was I? Finally.........the first time in a long time. Then, there was a laugh.
"Ha ha ha.......and I thought MY job was taxing."Sir Laguna! At his voice, I tried to wake myself. But it was really weird. It was like......my mind was just a spectator, and all my body could do was lie there.
"Ah, well............if we had more sponsors, we'd have enough money to hire more instructors, and she wouldn't have to trip and fall down a flight of steps before dropping off to sleep,"I heard Seifer say pointedly. Shuffling of feet on the pavement, and I just picture the looks of embarrassment on the men's faces.
"Well,"said Howe finally."I suppose we had better go back in and get something to drink. Sir Seifer, would you like to wake the young lady up and accompany us?"
No, no, NO! He WOULDN'T!
He didn't."................No. I think I'll take her back to Garden and let her go to bed."
"Hmmmm, I doubt that,"laughed Sanduff. I didn't get it. What was so funny? Maybe it was an inside joke, or a guy's joke, or something.
"Hey---!"Something told me that Seifer bit back a retort just in time. After all, we did have to do some major ass-kissing to get where we were now, and I don't think he wanted to lose it."No, it's not what you think. I've got classes to plan in the morning, anyway. Due to the teacher shortage, I've had to fill in for a few shifts."Again, that pointed tone."I thank you gentleman kindly, and look forward to sharing Esthar Garden's sponsorship with you."
Funny, how he could be polite to people he didn't know that well, but completely rude to everyone who knew the most about him. Then again, most of the people he knew(including me, by the way) didn't really have a gil to their name.
I heard the swishing noise of clothing, then something both soft and hard slide under my shoulderblades as I felt myself being lifted off of the ground. Being jounced and jostled along, we headed off(secretly, I wished it was Sir Laguna who was carrying me, instead of Seifer).
"Two tickets for the light rail to Esthar Garden."
"Oh, Sir Seifer!"The ticketseller sounded undeniably female."What happened to your cute friend?"
"She's sleeping, Aeiz. Besides, she doesn't swing that way, anyway. Don't worry, I'll find you someone who does."
What?! This chick was a lesbian?! I wanted to wake up and talk to her, but again, I couldn't. I'd never seen a lesbian before in my lifetime. I mean, I'd heard Zell muttering every now and then about how one of his ex- girlfriends had suddenly decided to break up with him and become one, but..........
"Well, that's too bad. She's a beaut."A brief silence."Here's your tickets, Sir."
".........Thanks."More jouncing and jostling. I heard the electronic beep of the light rail doors opening. Two steps more of jouncing and jostling, then we sat down. I think I was stretched out across him.
There was silence for some time, until a long-suffering sigh uttered in a strong baritone voice caused me to open my eyes.
Open my eyes?! NO!!! I made a small groan, trying to fight to stay asleep, but it just didn't work. My eyes fluttered open and fixed on Seifer, who was staring blankly at one of the tram poles from beneath lowered lashes, his peridot-colored eyes dull. At the weird noise that I had made, however, he looked down at me.
"..........Go back to sleep, Tilmitt. There's still another fifteen minutes before the light rail reaches Garden."
"That's okay."I sat up and untangled myself from his lap(blush!) before settling into the seat next to him. I laughed."Tee hee! I bet it was pretty funny, to see me sprawled out on the street in this ungainly heap, hunh? I just don't know what came over me."
After a few hours of sleep, my cheerfulness had returned. Seifer closed his eyes wearily. It was like seeing a light in a window being snuffed out."..............Gave me a shock."
"Oh, well, sorry. I guess I was just tired."
"........Too much work?"
Well, there was no point in lying."Yeah. But, because of all those sponsors we got, I won't have to worry about that, will I?"
".....The kids still like you. I can't transfer them out of your class."
"He-ey! After I just saved your ass, you still can't give me a break?! Talk about rude! Butthead!"
Jeez, why couldn't he give me a break?! I TRIED being friendly, and it just didn't work! Well, to hell with it all! He could just STAY an asshole, for all I cared! Come tomorrow, I was heading back to Balamb!
"............No, I still can't give you a break. It's just not the way I am. Being nice to everyone expends too much energy---you should know."His eyes opened again, only to be fixed right on me. I hated it when he did that, just because his eyes glowed with that creepy fire that made me feel like his stare would burn a hole right through me(which I bet he would find to be a rather useful talent, like Quisty's Laser Eye, whenever someone was pissing him off).
"Well, you could at least try. I hate you. Your students are scared of you. And everyone else just thinks you're weird."
"....................."
Once again, I was surprised to see that he had nothing to say. So, I just ignored him, and dropped my head back onto the compartment seat and soon fell asleep again.
I was awakened by the sensation of being lifted again. This time, I was fully awake, and just chose to pretend that I was asleep. Pretending to be awake(or actually being awake, rather) required too much energy. Maybe it was like what Seifer had said. Sometimes, I did have to work really hard to be cheerful to people, especially when I was feeling down. Maybe he just felt down all the time, and so it didn't really work out.
Oh, whatever! I really didn't care! I was trapped in the crappiest position of a lifetime! I was sent here as a spy, only to find out that some kids hit a soft spot with me, and now I can't do it! Not only that, but I'm also HELPING the enemy by negotiating favorable conditions for them with the Esthar government! Oh, Hyne! How had I gotten myself into this mess?!
The sound of a door opening. I was shocked to feel myself not being laid on a cold, hard, floor, but instead in a soft, warm, bed! I tried to wake up to see what the hell was going on. But the bed was just such a welcome relief after a floor, then pavement, then the seat of a light rail, and I soon found myself to be asleep(for the third time that day).
I woke up the next morning to discover that I was in my old dorm room, and that Seifer was sleeping in the far left corner, near the door. With his back against the wall, his head bowed between his legs, and the Hyperion slung over one shoulder, he looked vaguely like Irvine did whenever he sat down and tried to gather his courage before doing a big asassination job. With a pang, I realized how much I missed Balamb, and all my friends. My threat to leave and go back there still rung in my head, too. Would I really do it?
............No. I don't think I'd do it. I had Mira, and Vienna, and all the other kids(even the junior classmen, even if they did like to decorate me like dessert). I think, truthfully, I LIKED being an instructor, how matter how exhausting it was.
I sighed, and the noise, no matter how slight it was(I think he'd be the type to be a really light sleeper, anyway) caused Seifer to jerk his head up and arise from his stupor, shaking his head in a disgruntled sort of way."Hiya,"I said, smiling at him, taking joy in knowing that his back had to hurt like holy Hyne for sleeping against a wall."Thanks for bringing me here. I guess you still couldn't trust me enough to leave me on my own, hunh?"
"................I don't trust anyone."
I could believe that. The Beast went on."..........I've got class in a few minutes, anyway. Meet me in my office during your lunch hour---there's a subject I want to broach with you."He stood, stretched, and grabbed his coat before heading out the door. I noticed that he was still wearing the black dress clothes from last night. I was still in my sarong and tank top.
Later on, when I would try to think of a way to describe the events that had happened last night, and this morning, I could only come up with one thought:
What the @#$%?!
AN~Well, what does everyone think? LoL! As you can clearly see, this chapter was a little more fluff(well, not really FLUFF, but you know what I mean), and less humor. Basically, the breaking point of each other's barriers. BTW, the two of them still hate each other(check out some of the paragraphs from the ending), but it's kinda wearing thin. Ch. 5 is coming out, soon---'Ew! That's Gross!' Until then, you know how much I like reviews! Oh, don't yell about the little LagunaXSelphie thingie I popped in the middle, there. As you can clearly see from the summary, they don't get together.*wink* It's just to remind everyone of the little puppy adoration she has of him, back from the SSW(Second Sorceress War). Well, until next time, please review! I really hope everyone will keep reading this! ~tigerofthewind~