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C:\nomad\fanfic\1388651 chapter4.rtf

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(A)bort, (R)etry, (F)ail? R_


You're aware that I've decided to readmit Seifer into Garden, said Cid, who was sitting behind his desk.

Yes, I am, said Quistis, who was standing in front of it.

I think people deserve second chances, said Cid. I hope you understand.

But Seifer? asked Quistis. After all he's done? Do you really think there's hope for him?

Yes, I do, said Cid. And since you were his former instructor, I think it's appropriate that you be the one to oversee his training this time around.

Are you joking? asked Quistis. The last time I tried to instruct him, it was a disaster!

Quistis, I have confidence in you, said Cid. What happened wasn't your fault.

You should have more faith in yourself, added Edea, who was also in the room. We know you'll be an excellent instructor.

Then why did you fire me?

Cid shrugged. Well, the faculty thought it was a good idea, and spineless as I am, I —

Let's not revisit bad memories, said Edea. What matters is the future.

I hope so, Quistis muttered. But with Rinoa here, I might have to confront a bad memory from my past.

Edea frowned. What was that?

Quistis shook her head. Nothing. I was just.... She frowned. ...Foreshadowing. I don't know what came over me.

Cid was also frowning. Isn't memory from my past' a bit redundant? After all, what else would you have memories from?

Well, there was that time she was junctioned to Kiros, pointed out Nida. Or was it Ward? ...and I suppose that could still count as being in her past, so it might not matter.

Quistis looked at him. Nida, why are you always hanging around?

Nida shrugged.

...so anyway, said Cid, attempting to regain control of the conversation. As Seifer's instructor, you'll be responsible for keeping track of his behavior and making sure he stays in line. You should probably keep an eye on Fujin and Raijin, too; they're also being returned to positions within Garden.

Headmaster, I really don't think having Seifer around is a good idea, insisted Quistis.

Cid nodded. Yes, I know you don't. Thank you, Quistis, you're dismissed.


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I mean, he was just so dismissive! Laguna said. He was standing on the observation deck of the Apocalypse, the Ragnarok's sister ship. So that she could be easily distinguished from the Ragnarok by Esthar's traffic controllers — who, because of budget cuts, were only equipped with binoculars — the ship's hull had been repainted in royal blue. He just said, Whatever' and walked off!

He also said that he forgave you, said Ellone. What more did you want from him?

I dunno...maybe we could've caught up on how our lives have been, or promised to keep in touch, or at least traded mailing addresses! I don't even know how to reach him!

You can get his mailing address from the Balamb Garden archives, said Kiros.

Laguna shook his head. Nah, I tried that. They sent me a bunch of forms that I couldn't understand; and when I had Ward fill them in and send them back, they said that they couldn't release the information to me because I was a foreign national and Balamb didn't have an information-exchange treaty with Esthar; and when I had you negotiate one of those, they said they couldn't release the forms to me because I was a foreign national; and when I tried to apply for Balamb citizenship, they sent me a whole bunch more forms I couldn't understand; and when I had Ward fill those in and send them back, they said they couldn't grant my citizenship because I was a member of the government in a foreign country; and when I tried to resign as president, you guys wouldn't let me! He paused for breath. Anyway, that isn't the point! I want him to want to keep in touch with me! What good is it for me to just keep badgering him around until he gets tired of me?

So do you expect us to do something? Kiros asked.

I dunno! I just want him to like me! Is that so much to ask?

Kind of, said Ellone. This is Squall we're talking about.



Ellone blinked. ...Oh, right; you don't know him very well. This had a depressive effect on Laguna. No, I'm sorry; I know that isn't your fault —

It's okay, said Laguna. I figured it couldn't be worse back when I didn't even know if my son was alive. But now I know, and it feels worse, so I guess I was wrong about that.

Seems like a reasonable conclusion, Kiros noted.

Ellone said. Just give him time. And...I'll do what I can, too.

Kiros frowned at her. Was that foreshadowing?

Ellone frowned. No. I was just saying that I'd help if I could.

Kiros nodded.


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I don't remember said Quistis. I've felt miserable for as long as I can remember, and the times when I thought I wasn't miserable were just me feeling slightly less miserable than I had been before. My whole life's been a roller-coaster of miserableness. She laughed. Hear that? I'm so miserable that I can't even think straight; I'm using words like

So, bad day? Xu asked.

You have no idea. Cid wants me to be Seifer's instructor again. Rinoa's back in Garden. Selphie's missing.

Actually, I did know all that, said Xu.

I feel like my life is going into one of those really sharp drops that roller-coasters have, said Quistis. You ever been on a roller-coaster?

Xu nodded. There used to be one in Timber. The Galbadians closed it down, though; said the wooden construction was subversive.

That's too bad, said Quistis. I've always wanted to be on a roller-coaster.

Quistis, how much have you had to drink? Xu asked.

Don't remember, Quistis admitted. I'm very depressed. I understand this is want people do when they're depressed. Thought I'd give it a try. She looked to Xu. You know what?

What, Quistis?

It doesn't help at all. Really, I think I even feel worse. I feel...kind of sick.

Maybe we should go to the Infirmary, said Xu.

No, I'm okay, said Quistis. She smiled. Magic makes everything better.

Quistis, you don't have a GF junctioned.

Quistis frowned. Oh. I guess that explains why there wasn't any pretty blue light. That light is kind of pretty, isn't it? I've never really thought about it before.

Let's go to the Infirmary, said Xu.

Good idea, said Quistis. She started to head for the Infirmary, then stopped. Wait, where are we?


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The Headmaster's in his office, said Squall, taking little notice of the tall, one-armed man wearing a Dollet military uniform.

The man nodded. Yes, indeed he is. But he said I ought to speak to you instead, that you'd be the new Headmaster before long. He saluted. I am Colonel Jedrik Torzen, formerly of the Dollet Army. Headmaster Cid hired me to serve as Garden Master to replace your previous one.

Now Squall frowned at him. His tone was rather gravelly and not inspiring of much trust; and his features were rather sinister as well. he said.

I would like to begin my work as soon as possible, said Torzen. Are there any functions that I ought to perform right away?

You'll find all the records in the Garden's main server, said Squall, hoping the information would cause the man to go away. There should be a computer access on the B1 level. He thought about mentioning that no one had quite got around to renovating it since Master NORG had entered his glowing-cocoon phase, but decided the man would be able to figure that out on his own.

Torzen nodded. Very well. I will begin immediately.

As he turned and left, Squall went back to his original task, that being pacing around the main hall while brooding.

Hey, Squall! said Zell, approaching. Was that the new Garden Master? I heard he single-handedly killed 27 people during the Galbadian invasion of Dollet!

Squall immediately turned to walk the other way.

That's sure something, huh? Zell continued. Wonder what kind of guy it takes to be a cold-blooded killer like that?

Haven't you killed, like, hundreds of people by now? Nida asked.

said Trepe Groupie #12. And Instructor Trepe has killed...

How can you possibly know that? asked Xu, as she and Quistis approached.

Squall said. Where have you been?

Quistis shrugged. I don't know. It was never established.



said Rinoa, approaching from yet another direction. I can't take this anymore! We need to talk!

Squall frowned. About what?

Rinoa averted her eyes. I...can't talk about it.

Then how are we supposed to talk? Squall asked.

I don't know! she exclaimed. Does it look like I have all the answers?!

shouted Irvine, who had arrived at some point. Aren't we forgetting something?

The others all thought about this for a moment.

Irvine prodded. Abducted by something that coincidentally looked a lot like an alien spaceship but can't be because everyone knows that aliens aren't real? Us going to find her? Is this ringing a bell with anyone?

All except the part about the thing looking like a spaceship but everyone knowing it wasn't real, or whatever, said Quistis.

Forget about that! said Irvine. We've gotta find Selphie!

Oh, yeah! exclaimed Zell. Selphie's missing! We've gotta find her!

Oh, right, said Squall. He turned to Nida. Is the Ragnarok ready to leave?

Nida nodded. It has been since yesterday afternoon.

Squall nodded. Then let's go.


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