Author's note: Wooh, wrote three chapters in a row today... And two for It's Been A While. Wonder what's wrong with me...? :)

to Firefly-Dreams : That's okay, as long as you remember to read mine too :) Yup, Seify's so surprising. So unpredictable...

to Iskander : Yup, he definitely did. I just couldn't let him get away with saying such things. Thanks! :)

to Shadow-seraph : It is so :P Yup, my sleeves are bottomless, you'll never now what's gonna pop up next :)

to Greyon Hell : Welcome back and I've been thinking 'bout the cigarette thing myself. I just think it fits him so well. His whole image and being. It just is so Seifer. Can't help it, he looks so cool when smoking... And always, of course... :) I actually like long reviews, so keep 'em coming :)

-Squall's POV-

"Well that didn't take long," I say surprised as Seifer enters my dorm, not an hour since he left to train.

He shrugs and takes off his trenchcoat. "It was boring to train alone."

"Huh. Well, the Insctructors have ordered all SeeDs and SeeD cadets to their classes at four."

He glances at his watch. "Okay. What's it about?"

I shrug. "Probably just a briefing 'bout the on-going Sorceress-thing."

"Almasy?"

"I'm here, where I always am..."

Quistis snorts, then continues with the list.

"Do we really have to be here?" Seifer asks me.

I shrug. "Well we're SeeDs. I guess this is somehow important."

Seifer snorts and crosses his arms. "We've been in the eye of the storm the whole time, how can they possibly have something new to tell us?"

"Doesn't eye of the storm mean the calm place in the middle of all the fuzz?"

"Okay, so not the eye of the storm. Somewhere in the storm. Where stuff happens."

"Delray?"

Silence.

"Come on, where's Delray?"

The kids glance at each other.

"Anybody seen him?"

Some shrug, some shake their heads.

Quistis sighs. "Nobody knows where he is?"

"I think I saw him go to the Training Center," someone from the second row says.

"Is he still there?"

The kid shakes her head. "I don't know."

"Alright, well, I'll look him up later. Dincht?"

When Quistis has ended her speech and the kids are leaving the room, she asks for me, Seifer and Zell to remain in the classroom.

"Something's gonna happen soon," she says when we're alone.

"Like what? Is it the Sorceress again?" Zell asks.

Quistis shrugs. "It's something to do with Matron."

"Is she alright?"

"Stop interrupting her all the time, chickie. So, is she?"

Quistis shakes her head. "I don't know, I hope so. She wants you to go with her to Esthar."

"Esthar? I thought no one knew where it is?"

"It's on the Esthar continent, stupid," Seifer says.

"Yes, but it's hidden," Quistis says. "Anyways, Matron will be boarding Garden and we'll be taking off soon."

Author's note: In the next chaps, things will start happening and fast. I promise :)