Wow, it's been… much longer than I thought it had. I'm so sorry guys! But here's an update just for you. Maybe they'll come more often from now on. I'll certainly try to make it so!

Anyway, I just want to thank everybody who reviewed and harassed because you guys got me started again. Hopefully you'll all find it, and think that all this rambling means lots more words!

Well, it's really not, but at least here's chapter three:

Road to Absolution

Chapter Three: Opportunity

It didn't really come as a surprise to him; if the six whom he had try to kill were willing to give him a second chance, the ever-forgiving Cid was more likely willing to offer one, too. Seifer's gratitude, however, was just as great—though he would never admit it.

He was unable to reobtain his old room, which made sense seeing as Garden had drastically grown since the defeat of Ultimecia and the hall on which his room rested had been transformed into a female students' hall—not that he would have complained. But he was actually given a room on the SeeD hall rather than the student hall, for which he was also grateful to Cid. Cid's logic had been that he was more likely to be friendlier with the SeeDs that with the inferior students (which were ultimately all younger than he). Seifer also suspected that the logic was also that SeeDs could more easily contain him if trouble were to arise than students could (if they even would come near him). But for that Seifer also didn't mind, because it turned out that SeeD dorms were actually co-habituated since most SeeDs lived abroad rather than in Garden. That meant that Seifer had incredibly easy access to—

"Hey Seify! Open the door!" A loud knocking was followed by this shrill declaration, to which Seifer winced not only at the ungodly hour at which it occurred, but also at the horrendous nickname which so been bestowed upon him.

In response, he grunted and threw his pillow violently against the door.

Damn. That was his pillow.

"Seriously, Seify! It's time to get up!" The banging persisted and the noise was getting more shrill with every word. Seifer let out the biggest groan he could manage, hoping the nuisance would go away with that hint. It didn't happen, of course, so he threw his legs off the bed with one final grunt. Not caring whether or not his boxers were appropriate attire for greeting a neighbor, he threw open the door violently. There stood the Messenger Girl, face aglow with glee (and probably sugar, he mused) at him finally responding. It was a face that quickly turned to embarrassment, however, as she surveyed his inappropriate coverage.

"What. Are you doing here?" He grunted as she quickly covered her eyes, flushed. She shook her head.

"Squall sent me! He said I should show you around!" she cried through her hands, and Seifer wondered if she was regretting it yet.

He grunted again and crossed his arms, not caring about how embarrassed she was. "And why would you think I want your help?" He heavily suspected that Squall had chosen Selphie for a specific reason, that especially not being her wonderful ability to maintain peace. Maybe he could scare her away.

She seemed to grow braver as he stared at her, and finally removed her hands from her face. She gave him a determined look. "Because a lot has changed since you were last here," she managed, finally gaining control of her wavering voice, "And I couldn't very well just leave you to rot, could I? I'm going to get you readjusted to this place." He thought for a moment about her offer. True, just getting to his dorm the night before had been a new experience, and maybe he could stand to cozy up to a few important people. He certainly didn't consider the Messenger Girl one of those important people, and he certainly wouldn't have chosen her to help him if he had been given a choice, but he had to suppose something good would come out of it. Surely the arrangement would be temporary—a day or two at worst.

"Just let me get dressed," he mumbled, barely audible, but she heard him well enough. He slammed the door just as her signature, "Booyaka!" rang out, and he flinched under her intense pitch. Maybe agreeing to the petite bag of energy was a mistake after all. But he had agreed, and couldn't afford to actually turn her down and have her go running to Squall. Hyne knew she would end up crying her annoying green eyes out and telling Puberty Boy just how horribly mean Seifer had been to her accepting arms. Then surely the commander would have him booted so fast he wouldn't even have time to—

Acceptance. That's what he was looking for, right? And Selphie was offering it to him now. But did he really want it from Messenger Girl? He shook his head roughly and changed his clothes. They weren't really changed, just clean and washed, and he grabbed his gunblade to go with them. Then, as though thinking twice, he set it back down on the table. He admired it for a few minutes, trying to decide if it looked better on the table, or at his waist.

"You should leave it there," he heard from the door, and found Selphie, giving him a rare, serious look. He stared blankly in return, wondering how she had gotten in and why she was commenting. "It makes you look friendlier," she finished, a wink drawing her face back to its usual cheerfulness, "And friendly is what you need right now."

He shrugged in response, wondering if friendly was actually him, or if it really was what he needed. He decided it was best not to ponder, and Messenger Girl needed a quick comeback. But before he could get out one word, she was bouncing out the door. "Now let's go before they run out of hot dogs!"

"But it's not even noon!" he shouted after her, but she was already down the hall and almost out of sight. With one last longing glance to his gunblade, he shut his door and turned to follow. She would be the first to regret it if he came upon any instance where he would need his gunblade today, he would make sure of it.

But first, he had to see what all this hubbub over these hot dogs was. Hell, maybe soon he would understand Chicken Wuss and Messenger Girl… But that was highly unlikely.

-End Chapter 3-

Sweet, that looks like a good place to end it. Hopefully chapter four will be up soon as well, and you guys won't have to wait long.

But just so you guys know, I GRADUATED! And I'm actually succeeding at Tech, so you guys can get off my case, hahaha.

Just kidding I love you all. But be sure to leave reviews and love and even criticism—but gentle!

Also, I hope Seifer wasn't too out of character. I tried to make him meaner, but let's face it. The guy's a big softie and we all know it. Just let me know if it bothers you too much. I'll try to do better next chapter, haha.

Oh, and how could I almost forget the next chapter's teaser (which, ironically, are getting less and less true to the chapter themselves):

"'Irvy, you promised that you would be nice! We all promised we would give him a chance, so lighten up!' Seifer had never really had anybody aside from Raijin and Fujin stand up for him, not even Cid. He knew he should have been grateful, but all he really felt was helpless, and a little offended."

Alright! So stay tuned for Chapter Four: Ability! (subject to change)