Disclaimer- Final Fantasy VIII belongs to Squaresoft, ya know.
Author's notes- thoughts '...' Spoken words "..." change/passing of time ~*~*~*~ That being said, you're good to go.
Wake of Debris
The sound of birds chirping combined with the crashing of the waves down below created a harmonic song. Around her, the day was as beautiful as could be. The sky was a light blue with a few whisps of cirrus clouds that seemed to dance on the upper atmospheric winds. A steady yet light breeze tickled her nose as it played with the loose strands of her hair. The day held a spring time warmth that she gladly welcomed.
Quistis carefully stepped across a downed strip of piping that blocked the walkway, and hesitantly grasped the rusted railing of the stairwell as she began her decent. It was mind boggling to her how a community with such amazingly talented architects and engineers could be content living in a place that was falling apart. Off to the side of the stairwell were two children playing on a loading platform. She paused for a moment and watched as the little girl, clad in a ragged dress, shifted through the debris of what might have been a shack at one time. The boy, whom appeared to be a few years younger, watched with eager eyes to see her newly found treasure. She frowned at the sight.
Despite the intelligence displayed by most of the citizens, it was obvious they all lacked common sense. No child should have to grow up playing on rusted platforms that were so far gone in some places that the rebar was all that was left. She quickly diverted her attention to the Mayor's house. She knew their parents were able to at least give them a better environment to grow up in, and the longer she allowed herself to stay the more disturbed she became.
Standing now at the mayor's front door, she brushed back her hair and took a deep breath. She willed herself to put aside the image she'd seen earlier and to knock. This would be hard enough without her being distracted. Despite the obvious tension in the air, Flo opened the door and greeted her with a smile.
"Come in," She gestured. Quistis followed the shorter women up the set of makeshift rod iron stairs and stopped when the mayor looked up at her. A frown crossed his features as he looked towards his wife.
"I'm here on behalf of Balamb Garden," Quistis said as she tried to shake her uneasiness.
"Yes yes. Have you come here for renegotiations?" The smaller man asked as he looked up at her.
"That is why I'm here," She straightened her glasses as she stared nonchalantly at him.
"Good. Good. Great things are accomplished through negotiations. Please have a seat," He patted the cushion next to him on the floor. Quistis gazed down at the stained and faded stuffed rag with contempt. Despite her reluctance she carefully sat down beside him.
"Thank you," She said as politely as she could while desperately trying to hide her disgust. Flo approached her with a tray of glasses, but Quistis politely declined a drink.
"Well, I'll keep these talks brief. Its obvious that you want to be here having this discussion about as much as I do." Quistis nodded at his curt statement.
"I speak for all of Garden when I say that the assistance you've allowed your workers to render has been invaluable. Without your assistance it would've been weeks at least before we would've been able to get the Garden functional again."
The old mayor smiled. "I am very proud of my engineers. They are quite exemplary indeed. As I have made it abundantly apparent, I don't have a problem allowing them to remain on Garden so long as some alterations are made."
Quistis sighed. 'Here we go again.' She stood up slowly and brushed the dirt that she felt like was coating her pants. Since Squall had allowed a change in the uniform specifications, Quistis had taken full advantage of it. There was no way she would've wanted to have worn that skirt here. "You have called for many revisions. Some of the mechanical ones, such as the armory and various weapon lockers having posted guards and such we haven't a problem with. Its the revisions you're wanting us to make to our curriculum is out of the question."
"The referred to classes which should be dropped before I will render any more assistance are barbaric and irrational. You aren't teaching your SeeDs to be negotiators and mediators. You're teaching them to fight, control and conquer. I refuse to be a part of any such program that permits or promotes that type of behavior." The mayor stood up after he finished talking and lightly clasped his hands behind his back.
Quistis looked past him to the window and then back at him. "Don't you understand? Balamb Garden isn't trying to suppress or conquer anyone. We are neutral in world affairs and active only when there is a just cause for our interference. Our SeeDs are taught to fight in order to defend themselves or other people."
The mayor shook his head. "I stand firm by my decision on the subject. And if I were you Ms. Trepe, I would seriously consider my proposal. It could be quite detrimental to your Garden not to."
Quistis crossed her arms. "Forgive me for my bluntness. But is that a threat?"
The mayor frowned. "If anyone would be giving threats it certainly wouldn't be the one of us pressing for a peaceful garden curriculum."
"I believe I've heard enough for today," Quistis spoke bluntly. "Good day Mr. Mayor." She received no response, and yet she didn't really wait for one. She rushed up the long flight of stairs and towards Balamb Garden's current berthing place.
~*~*~*~
Xu leaned against the conference table with her right hand and massaged her temple with her left. Across from her, Squall looked equally annoyed as he dwelled on Quistis' report from Fisherman's Horizon.
"What are we supposed to do?" Quistis asked as she crossed her arms and looked over the three other people in the room.
"What can we really do? We need those workers," Cid sighed. "I'll send word that another negotiating party will meet with him."
"You expect us to just submit to him!" Quistis exclaimed, startling those around her.
"She has a point," Xu supported. "That mayor may claim to be against using force, but he obviously isn't above manipulating and deceiving. I mean aren't Esthar's engineers actually some of the most accomplished in the world? More so than Fisherman's Horizon?" Xu crossed her arms and looked to Squall.
"She's right. I can speak to my father and we'll see what kind of arrangement can be made," Squall finally spoke. "If Balamb's going to be neutral, I believe we should make it self-sufficient. I'll see about getting some engineers here and I want you two to find SeeDs here that are qualified to be trained as engineers." Squall nodded to Quistis and Xu. They both nodded in reply.
Xu smiled in triumph as another idea hit her. "While your contacting President Loire can we go ahead and send a diplomat to Fisherman's Horizon? Make him think he's still got us under his thumb...please?"
"Who do you have in mind?" Cid asked, thoroughly interested.
"Almasy," Xu admitted. "Let's face it...he's our toughest and best negotiator. He always comes through."
"He's our interrogator Xu. I don't think his swinging Hyperion around and pointing it at the mayor is going to help us in this situation," Quistis laughed.
Xu shrugged. "Sounded kinda fun to me."
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element6- Nida has to work up the nerve to actually hold his composure around her first eh? Thanks for the compliment by the way. I really appreciate your reviews.
aratcorien - Yes there are a lot of unanswered questions. You have no idea how many there really are. *rubs temples* I'm still working on the answers to all of them.
Ameli Stoncius - So you like my 'darkness' bits thrown in there eh? *grins* I've just getting started.
Verdanii - Thank you, thank you, here's the update, and yes Nida is cute.
Barrett Machain - Nida, neglected? *whistles softly* You could call him that... Just wait til you learn the whole story. And you think you hate Nikki in LBS.
************************************************************************
There's chapter two. I know this one only really sets up the basis for the stories secondary plot line....but it has to be in here. Now after I give Iris of Thorns and Unveiled Consternation their second update......you guys can vote. Leather-bound Secret's almost over.
Author's notes- thoughts '...' Spoken words "..." change/passing of time ~*~*~*~ That being said, you're good to go.
Wake of Debris
The sound of birds chirping combined with the crashing of the waves down below created a harmonic song. Around her, the day was as beautiful as could be. The sky was a light blue with a few whisps of cirrus clouds that seemed to dance on the upper atmospheric winds. A steady yet light breeze tickled her nose as it played with the loose strands of her hair. The day held a spring time warmth that she gladly welcomed.
Quistis carefully stepped across a downed strip of piping that blocked the walkway, and hesitantly grasped the rusted railing of the stairwell as she began her decent. It was mind boggling to her how a community with such amazingly talented architects and engineers could be content living in a place that was falling apart. Off to the side of the stairwell were two children playing on a loading platform. She paused for a moment and watched as the little girl, clad in a ragged dress, shifted through the debris of what might have been a shack at one time. The boy, whom appeared to be a few years younger, watched with eager eyes to see her newly found treasure. She frowned at the sight.
Despite the intelligence displayed by most of the citizens, it was obvious they all lacked common sense. No child should have to grow up playing on rusted platforms that were so far gone in some places that the rebar was all that was left. She quickly diverted her attention to the Mayor's house. She knew their parents were able to at least give them a better environment to grow up in, and the longer she allowed herself to stay the more disturbed she became.
Standing now at the mayor's front door, she brushed back her hair and took a deep breath. She willed herself to put aside the image she'd seen earlier and to knock. This would be hard enough without her being distracted. Despite the obvious tension in the air, Flo opened the door and greeted her with a smile.
"Come in," She gestured. Quistis followed the shorter women up the set of makeshift rod iron stairs and stopped when the mayor looked up at her. A frown crossed his features as he looked towards his wife.
"I'm here on behalf of Balamb Garden," Quistis said as she tried to shake her uneasiness.
"Yes yes. Have you come here for renegotiations?" The smaller man asked as he looked up at her.
"That is why I'm here," She straightened her glasses as she stared nonchalantly at him.
"Good. Good. Great things are accomplished through negotiations. Please have a seat," He patted the cushion next to him on the floor. Quistis gazed down at the stained and faded stuffed rag with contempt. Despite her reluctance she carefully sat down beside him.
"Thank you," She said as politely as she could while desperately trying to hide her disgust. Flo approached her with a tray of glasses, but Quistis politely declined a drink.
"Well, I'll keep these talks brief. Its obvious that you want to be here having this discussion about as much as I do." Quistis nodded at his curt statement.
"I speak for all of Garden when I say that the assistance you've allowed your workers to render has been invaluable. Without your assistance it would've been weeks at least before we would've been able to get the Garden functional again."
The old mayor smiled. "I am very proud of my engineers. They are quite exemplary indeed. As I have made it abundantly apparent, I don't have a problem allowing them to remain on Garden so long as some alterations are made."
Quistis sighed. 'Here we go again.' She stood up slowly and brushed the dirt that she felt like was coating her pants. Since Squall had allowed a change in the uniform specifications, Quistis had taken full advantage of it. There was no way she would've wanted to have worn that skirt here. "You have called for many revisions. Some of the mechanical ones, such as the armory and various weapon lockers having posted guards and such we haven't a problem with. Its the revisions you're wanting us to make to our curriculum is out of the question."
"The referred to classes which should be dropped before I will render any more assistance are barbaric and irrational. You aren't teaching your SeeDs to be negotiators and mediators. You're teaching them to fight, control and conquer. I refuse to be a part of any such program that permits or promotes that type of behavior." The mayor stood up after he finished talking and lightly clasped his hands behind his back.
Quistis looked past him to the window and then back at him. "Don't you understand? Balamb Garden isn't trying to suppress or conquer anyone. We are neutral in world affairs and active only when there is a just cause for our interference. Our SeeDs are taught to fight in order to defend themselves or other people."
The mayor shook his head. "I stand firm by my decision on the subject. And if I were you Ms. Trepe, I would seriously consider my proposal. It could be quite detrimental to your Garden not to."
Quistis crossed her arms. "Forgive me for my bluntness. But is that a threat?"
The mayor frowned. "If anyone would be giving threats it certainly wouldn't be the one of us pressing for a peaceful garden curriculum."
"I believe I've heard enough for today," Quistis spoke bluntly. "Good day Mr. Mayor." She received no response, and yet she didn't really wait for one. She rushed up the long flight of stairs and towards Balamb Garden's current berthing place.
~*~*~*~
Xu leaned against the conference table with her right hand and massaged her temple with her left. Across from her, Squall looked equally annoyed as he dwelled on Quistis' report from Fisherman's Horizon.
"What are we supposed to do?" Quistis asked as she crossed her arms and looked over the three other people in the room.
"What can we really do? We need those workers," Cid sighed. "I'll send word that another negotiating party will meet with him."
"You expect us to just submit to him!" Quistis exclaimed, startling those around her.
"She has a point," Xu supported. "That mayor may claim to be against using force, but he obviously isn't above manipulating and deceiving. I mean aren't Esthar's engineers actually some of the most accomplished in the world? More so than Fisherman's Horizon?" Xu crossed her arms and looked to Squall.
"She's right. I can speak to my father and we'll see what kind of arrangement can be made," Squall finally spoke. "If Balamb's going to be neutral, I believe we should make it self-sufficient. I'll see about getting some engineers here and I want you two to find SeeDs here that are qualified to be trained as engineers." Squall nodded to Quistis and Xu. They both nodded in reply.
Xu smiled in triumph as another idea hit her. "While your contacting President Loire can we go ahead and send a diplomat to Fisherman's Horizon? Make him think he's still got us under his thumb...please?"
"Who do you have in mind?" Cid asked, thoroughly interested.
"Almasy," Xu admitted. "Let's face it...he's our toughest and best negotiator. He always comes through."
"He's our interrogator Xu. I don't think his swinging Hyperion around and pointing it at the mayor is going to help us in this situation," Quistis laughed.
Xu shrugged. "Sounded kinda fun to me."
************************************************************************
element6- Nida has to work up the nerve to actually hold his composure around her first eh? Thanks for the compliment by the way. I really appreciate your reviews.
aratcorien - Yes there are a lot of unanswered questions. You have no idea how many there really are. *rubs temples* I'm still working on the answers to all of them.
Ameli Stoncius - So you like my 'darkness' bits thrown in there eh? *grins* I've just getting started.
Verdanii - Thank you, thank you, here's the update, and yes Nida is cute.
Barrett Machain - Nida, neglected? *whistles softly* You could call him that... Just wait til you learn the whole story. And you think you hate Nikki in LBS.
************************************************************************
There's chapter two. I know this one only really sets up the basis for the stories secondary plot line....but it has to be in here. Now after I give Iris of Thorns and Unveiled Consternation their second update......you guys can vote. Leather-bound Secret's almost over.