Chapter 7

"But like leftovers left in the back of the fridge for a month, he had finally shown his hairy rotten self."

-Quistis Trepe

So, this is what it comes down to. Even after Cid's speech that was dripping with appraisal. I knew there had to be some kind of catch. Yes, he can always count on me, that's for sure, to continually throw compliments in my face just to drag them away again! That's what you get for letting your guard down. Now you get to be the official babysitter of coffin boy! Oh dear.. I wondered where Cid's morning danish could be. I'm pretty sure I could cover up a choking accident right about now..

I gave an uneasy smile, though it probably looked more like a grimace. "So, what exactly do you want me to do?"

"Well, it's pretty simple, Quistis," The Headmaster told me in a professional tone, "This man is currently undergoing extensive experiments at the moment.. To make a long story short, there's so many things about him we don't know that might make him dangerous. Our scientists have requested supervision from a SeeD. That SeeD is you."

I didn't like the sound of that. For all I knew, Mr vamp could very well pop out of his imprisonment and fly around the room. I let out a large breath, hoping that it wasn't as noticeable as the ugly brown mat underneath my toes. "When do I start?"

I stepped out my room decked out in my SeeD ensemble. With a clipboard clasped in my newly manicure painted hands, I'm sure I looked the definition of a professional. I caught a last glance at myself in my bedroom mirror, just as I walked straight into my hard, pine door.

"Dammit!" I cursed under my breath. So much for dignity. I looked stealthily from side to side to see if anyone had caught my less than graceful moment. I sighed in relief as there were no reporters with "press" written on their hats, yelling "What a scoop!". Confident that my stupidity had gone unnoticed, I began to stroll down the hallway.

"Very swauve, genius." I visably cringed in mid-walk as a cocky voice sounded from my left.

Turning to see my accuser, I rolled my eyes and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear in annoyance. I had totally forgotten about Seifer's return to the Garden. But like leftovers left in the back of the fridge for a month, he had finally shown his hairy rotten self. Now sporting a tuft a hair on his chin, Seifer had not changed much from his old nasty self, as he challenged me with his icy green glare.

I shot back my own frosty stare. "Well, well, if it isn't Seifer Almasy; SeeD UN-extraordinaire."

He mocked bowed and smiled "Beautiful day, isn't it, Instructor?"

I lowered my brows slightly, winning a grin from my opponent, seeing he had hit a nerve. His old hobby had become an insult as it seemed he had heard about my misfortune. Looks as if we could both be utterly childish. I suppose I could call it quits now and be the adult... but what would be the fun in that?

I sneered with sarcasm, pretending to accept a compliment. "Yes, wonderful day. I heard it was so nice, that the test rats managed to escape. Terrible thing that is, no one can seem to find them. Hey wait a minute! There's one crawling on your chin!"

Seifer shook his head with amusement, as he rubbed his facial hair. "Ah, c'mon now Quistis. You think it's sexy."

I let out undignified guffaw.

My chuckling only made him worse. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be able to grow one too, no problem."

I rolled my eyes again, which was seeming to be a habit around this jackass. I made a note to spend less time around him, lest my eyes roll out of their sockets. Taking my own advice, I began to walk down the hall towards the elevator.

"What's the matter, baby?" Seifer yelled after me with ridicule, "We only just got reacquainted!"

"Let's hope it doesn't happen again!"

I arrived shortly to the basement level which had been renovated into our lab. Good ol' Cid had informed me that I would start right away... and that I could be on this project for an undetermined amount of time. I didn't like the sound of undetermined... but I also wouldn't like the sound of 'no pay', so I sucked it up, and decided to go to work.

Thinking about my last assignment, I was given relief that at least now I wouldn't be watching over others in the hot sun. There would be no more sand fish... no more peeling nose.. and most importantly of all... no Murphy.

I smiled gratefully as I gathered my courage to open the doors to the lab. With little energy I pushed them open, only to have my mouth follow suit. No.. No way in NORG's toga dancing name was this possible! But it was... oh Hyne why do you torture me so?

"Hey Quistis," Murphy said, blocking my view of the room, his physique filling my vision. "Long time no see!"

Surely, it wasn't long enough. "H-hi.... ,"I managed to blurt out in my stunned state, "What are you doing here?"

"Didn't they tell you? I'm the supervising scientist in this endeavor!" He moved out of my full vision and welcomed me inside.

Speechlessly I walked dumbly into the room. My mouth was making little uncomprehensible noises, but everyone inside seemed non the wiser.