EverShadow: Well, since everyone else is seemingly getting into the Quifer/Seftis thingamaburr, I might as well go along with everyone else for the moment. You never see too many Seifer/Rinoa…whaddaya call those?
Tiger of Blackness: You rarely see a Squifer.
EverShadow: What?
Tiger of Blackness: Squall/Quistis/Seifer.
EverShadow: Oh…well, I'm at least proud of making a Seifer and Rinoa fic!! I stand out amongst you cliché people!
Tiger of Blackness: Shut up, you're writing a Quifer now aren't you?
EverShadow: Yeah…just experimental though. On with the show.
Instructing a Rebel
Selphie was piloting the Ragnarok like crazy again…she had been swerving around the garden, scaring some of the people but it wasn't her fault that she was a bit of a speed demon. Irvine, as usual, was at her side, cheering her on. This shouldn't have happened if the children of the Balamb Garden didn't ask for a ride on the Ragnarok. It had been a year since everyone had gathered together again and celebrated the end of the war. They were still training SeeDs and all that but lately, the Garden had become a quiet place. Norg had emerged from his shell as a giant Moomba but his visions had changed and he taught the other Moombas the way of peace.
Squall and Rinoa had taken a vacation to the orphanage where they had promised to meet. Squall was the new headmaster (as if none of us had already guessed it…) and I was sure that Rinoa would be his wife sooner or later. There had been a large change in Squall, he smiled and laughed a lot more. He was more social than usual but if Rinoa weren't there, he would go into his protective shell again. It was very rare that Rinoa wasn't by his side so we saw the brighter side of Squall.
Zell…he's training to become an instructor (surprise!) and calmed down a little. I personally think that he did it to sneak into the cafeteria to get hotdogs. He's happily dating the girl from the library…I still don't know how she can stand him sometimes. Dear Hyne…he's as cocky as ever! He's the same old Zell, just not as ready to charge into battle.
Selphie and Irvine…well…need I say any more? Selphie and Irvine are usually found at the Trabia Garden helping out whenever they can. Trabia Garden is rebuilt and looking as beautiful as ever. Plus, it's flying as well! We all had a hunch that all the Gardens could fly and Nida helped the people at the Trabia Garden pilot the thing. The surprising thing is, Irvine has stopped chasing girls (we all have Selphie to thank for that.) He's more interested in Selphie at this current time but she can't stop bouncing around long enough for him to tell her his feelings! I'd give him a month or so before he actually pins her down with his gun and tells her. Hyne, that'll be an interesting sight to see.
Me? Well, I could say same old Quistis but I'd be lying. Ever since we've gotten back from the future, the others have been basking in each other's company. Everyone's got some kind of person they can share their life with besides me. I don't mind it. People are often a bit shy to approach me. They think I'm going to bark at them or lecture them on something. I quit being an instructor a year ago but people still keep treating me like I'm still an instructor. They never see me for who I am. I've tried countless times to relax like Rinoa or Selphie but I guess I can't help but be mature, calm and collected like I'm ten years older than I'm supposed to be. I wish I could just let go of my collectiveness but it's hard to do so. Ever since I came back, there have been more Trepies than ever. Some days I just want to throw them out of the Garden but there are too many of them for me to keep count. Why don't they go worship someone else like Squall? I don't know.
"Instructor Trepe?" I sighed and turned around to face one of the Trepies.
"I'm not an instructor anymore." I said.
"Yeah but I was wondering…could you help me with my SeeD exam?" The girl looked nervous at the thought of it. The SeeD exam wasn't too far away.
"What kind of help?" I felt myself soften up when I saw how nervous she was. She was shaking terribly.
"I…"
"Will Quistis Trepe please report to the headmaster's office? I repeat, Quistis Trepe, report to the headmaster." I gave the girl an apologetic look and walked out of the cafeteria. I wondered what was going on. Since Squall was out on vacation, Nida had filled in for him.
I entered the officed and found Nida waiting for me. His expression was unreadable and I approached him.
"Is there something you need?" I asked.
"Yes, it appears we have a guest. He wants to help out here at the Balamb Garden but I requested that he had supervision for a while. Since it seems that you're the only one capable of handling him, I suggested you." Hyne, no. Please, no…
"Long time no see, Instructor." The familiar voice punched a hole in my brain. I closed my eyes but I didn't move.
"So, you're back, Almasy." I replied.
"In the flesh. I want to make up for my crimes. Assaulting the Balamb Garden, attacking innocent SeeD. Now I want to help out."
"Is that your decision or an order from higher positions." I asked coldly.
"More of a request from Ex-Headmaster Cid and new Headmaster Squall. I agreed because it obviously gave me a chance to reunite with my favorite ex-instructor." Everything about him flashed in my mind in a second.
"I don't need your smart talk, Almasy. You've got one chance to prove yourself good before I strangle you with my whip. Is that understood?" I finally turned to face him. He looked the same but the smile wasn't as mocking as it originally was. It seemed almost genuine but I didn't give in to that trickery.
"Touchy as always Instructor." He said.
"I'm not an Instructor anymore." I snapped. Nida cleared his throat.
"Perhaps you would like to continue this conversation some where else?" He asked. Seifer glared at him.
"Get the hell outta this conversation! No one needed your opinion temporary Headmaster!" He yelled. I grabbed Seifer by the shoulder and hauled him out of the room. As soon as the door closed, I shoved him into a wall.
"What are you trying to pull here Almasy?! What do you want to do with the Balamb Garden? I don't know what goes on in that mind of yours but if it has anything to do with Squall…"
"Still not over him yet Instructor?" I pulled my face back and blinked a few times.
"That's not it! Y-You're completely wrong. I'm just saying that if you try to kill him, then everyone will hunt you down!" It was probably a funny sight. I, Quistis Trepe, was blushing too deeply for him not to notice.
"I think I'm correct." He pushed his face into mine and I could feel an even deeper blush creeping up. I was tempted to return the kiss but I hated him.
"Q-QUISTIS??!!!" A voice yelled. I jerked around, releasing Seifer's coat and saw a bewildered Squall and Rinoa.
"Welcome back." Seifer said.
"Seifer? Quistis?! What is going on?" I wanted to yell that Seifer had forced me into it but my collectiveness kicked in.
"Nothing. I just caught my foot on the carpet and that just happened. No emotions involved." I felt stupid saying that but out of the corner of my eye, I saw Seifer grin. Squall and Rinoa relaxed a little and walked into the headmaster's room.
"You fooled them, Instructor." He said.
"If you ever do that again, I'm going to strangle you and hang your carcass over the side of the Garden to dry!" I threatened. "This is the start of a bad relationship, Seifer." He kissed me again on the cheek and walked off.
"Of course it is…" He laughed. When I got to my room, I tore the covers off of my bed, flung it around the room and screamed in rage.
Tiger of Blackness: Hissy Quisty.
EverShadow: She's in a bad mood. She hates Seifer.
Tiger of Blackness: One can tell…
EverShadow: Well, Seifer's not exactly the nicest person…
Tiger of Blackness: That's why we all love him.
EverShadow: Yep! EverShadow signing off.