The Trip to Balamb

"So what happened?" Laguna asked from the line.

"Not good." Claire replied while calming herself. She is once again on a cab making her way back to the Galbadian station. That visit clearly didn't turn out well as she had planned to. She really wanted to stay for maybe a day in hopes of spending some time with her sister but she instantly changed her mind.

"What do you mean? You had an argument with your sister?" He clearly sensed that the woman is in a bad mood.

"I had some sort of a misunderstanding with his boyfriend," she admitted.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa… Wait, let me get this straight. You and your sister's boyfriend had an argument? Seriously Claire, do yourself a favor and get your own man so you don't have to yell at other people's boyfriend for god sake. Beat him into pulp whenever you're pissed if that will make you feel better," the old man said with humor in his voice. Claire just rolled her eyes and said nothing.

"To lighten things up a bit, I have some good news. I had already arranged your appointment at the Balamb Garden." Laguna informed her.

"Well that's good news. When's the schedule?" She planned on taking the aptitude and the field tests at the Balamb Garden and if she passed those she will return from being a soldier, this time working for a completely different military force. Working under Laguna as his private security clearly doesn't make her progress with her interests. She didn't do much other than following him around all day. She wants some action, the real ones that's why she resigned. She tried to join the Estharian army, but the president did not agree with the idea because he said that Esthar's military base stinks and is filled with perverts and such a good looking woman like her didn't belong there. What a reason coming from a former soldier himself. She proposed to go to Galbadia instead so she can be closer to where Serah is but still he didn't abide because according to him, working under Galbadia's military is like being a beggar asking for coins on the street. They never pay their men fairly. In fact he's like a fal'Cie, almost offering her everything even if she doesn't need them so she ends up refusing all the time, always reminding him that she wants to work hard for everything she needs. But this one is a very rare and talkative kind of fal'Cie because he's branding her everywhere with his nonstop talking.

"That would be the problem. You might not get enough rest when you arrive here because tomorrow is also your appointment," he informed her.

"I can sleep throughout the travel. That's not a problem. I'll just take the train straight to Balamb," she assured him.

"That's a good idea. I'll just request somebody to clear a dorm room so you'll have a bunk to rest through the night." Laguna added.

"Thanks." As soon as she got off from the cab, she looked at the huge monitor as she checked for the next trip which happens to be the last for the day and will leave in two minutes. She headed to the ticket booth and paid the fare to the Balamb Station and kept up just in time before the last train going to the location departed.

"Laguna, still there?" She checked on her caller in between heavy breaths.

"Yea! Now, see, I've already told you about my son right?" Laguna spoke after a moment.

"Why?" Sheasked in return hinting him that she well remembered what he's referring to.

"I was thinking. He's you know…single and all. Hey, why haven't I thought about this? You can freely have him if you want! Right from this moment you already have my blessing!" he laughed heartily.

"Sounds to me like a dog free for adoption," she replied sarcastically.

"Well, he's the most handsome breed the world has ever had you know? I'm sure of it, I'm his father," he boasted.

Claire sighed. "I'm just wondering. Is your son as loud as his father is?" She asked more of a rhetorical question.

"Actually darling, he's a complete opposite. He's a quiet and reserved type of guy. He had troubles mingling with the others before but he's changed a lot now, becoming more open and all. He mostly inherited his personality from his mother. Physically, he has his mother's eyes but his good looks and build, man that's all me." He continued selling his son to the ex-soldier.

"Alright, enough with you Mr. Matchmaker… So he's the commander of the garden, right?" She changed the topic.

"Slash the headmaster-in-charge. The current headmaster, Cid Kramer as we've heard in the news is somewhat sick and he's pretty much old to work so he left the garden in my son's hands temporarily and lives with his wife for now at the orphanage to recover," he recalled.

"I hope by any chance I could talk to him," she wondered more to herself.

"Am I sensing something here?" The old man teased. "Of course you can! He's always busy though doing elderly stuffs. Sometimes I feel pity at that kid. The garden is becoming his entire life and all."

"Good news is, he didn't exist as nothing but a push over. I knew of a person who is really good when he talks the talk but cannot walk the walk."She remembered the argument they had earlier.

"And that is why he's just perfect for you." Laguna laughed. "I'll give him a call if you wanted to talk to him," he offered.

For the love of god, shut this man, she cursed to herself. "No. I can handle it. Thanks. I'm going to hang up." She cancelled the call to immediately finish the conversation and she sighed, leaning her cheek in her right fist while she stared through the window. Squall Leonhart, I get this weird feeling that I already know you. She felt her eyelids became heavy and she closed them as the train's movement sways her into sleep.

"Train, Train… Take Us Away… Take Us Away Far Away… To The Future, We Will Go… Where We Go… No One Knows…"

A woman who had just ridden the train from the West Galbadian Station is skipping in the train hallway as she searches for a spot to prop into while singing. She's in her mid-twenties with a brown short hair. She wears a yellow dress and a pair of brown boots. She suddenly halted in her steps and her humming when she noticed a pink haired lady sitting in one of the seats on her left side.

"Hmm…" She scanned the whole area. There aren't many passengers at that time besides the two men sitting on the further part of the cockpit so there are plenty of rows to be occupied. Deciding if she will be sitting somewhere else or just take the vacant seat in front of the woman, she hummed and looked down again at the passenger who is obviously sleeping at the time. She finally decided to join the stranger.

"Do you mind?" she asked. No response. The lady didn't even move. "Okaaay! I hope you don't." She whispered while carefully taking her seat and looked through the window. She shifted her seat darting her eyes to the still unconscious woman. Still bothered of possibly invading someone's private space, she added, "By the way I'm Selphie. It's just that I hate sitting on a train alone. I mean it's such a bummer, the long travels and all you do is sit and you don't have someone with you to talk to it's just so, so sad and I hope it is ok with you. " She chatted in her low voice as if the person she was talking with is listening. She looked through the window again. She hesitated for a moment but started to sing again.

"Train, Train… Take Us Away… Take Us Away Far Away… To The Future…"

Claire slowly opened her eyes. She felt irritated at the woman singing in front of her who just disturbed her nap. Her senses came the moment Selphie sat so she pretty much heard everything. She's just not in the mood to have a lady chat. When did she have, anyway? That confrontation she had earlier with Snow has flipped her mood completely resting her face on her right fist, she sighed and leaned on the window beside her as her eyes glared at the brunette.

"Oh I'm so sorry! Did I wake you up?" Selphie was startled at the deep sigh and the look she's receiving from the passenger in front of her and immediately stopped singing.

"Selphie, right?" Claire asked. The woman nodded. She sighed again and shut her eyes as she prepare the heavy words she's about to say just because it opposes what she really feels. Honestly, she hasn't gotten any ample rest and a nap is all she needed. "No worries." She breathed.

"Really? Oh, don't worry I won't bother you anymore. I'll just sit here and… Okay." The brunette didn't continue her words as she didn't want to irritate the woman any further. "Wow…" Selphie said in awe just after a few seconds. "You're really pretty. You know… the kind of strong but really good looking face. Your hair color is kind of unusual though, I mean I do not know of someone who dyes their hair pink but wow… That looks really cute on you."

Claire didn't really know how to respond to compliments. She was already used to the smooth talks she had always received from her fellow soldiers and she knew it was only in an attempt to get her so her guaranteed move is to just shove it all off. Still, she is perfectly aware of how extremely attractive she is so she finally managed to say a simple thank you.

We Are Now Approaching Our Final Stop, Balamb Station… Please Make Sure To Gather All Your Belongings Before You Leave… Thank You And Have A Nice Day…

The speaker lit up announcing that they have just arrived in the city of Balamb. It is already 4 o'clock in the afternoon when she reached her destination. She admitted to herself that she was mentally tortured by the woman who did nothing but talk and tell a whole lot of stories, mostly morbid stories to her for a good two hours. What the last thriller movie she just watched yesterday was all about and how she fancied the eating habits of what they call zombies, the lot of it. As a result, she had also been guilty for killing the woman several times in her head. She never got the sleep she promised to Laguna she'll going to take while she's on her way. She felt like her head is floating from the lack of rest.

Serah has told me this is where I can find Hope, working as a young researcher at the Garden, she thought. That kid, I never thought he would arrive in this world few years older than me. That's a bit weird. I need to go see and talk to him. She planned in her mind.

"Hey!" Lightning was pulled from her thoughts when Selphie poked her on her shoulder. She just got off from the train and is now standing in the subway with her luggage on her right hand.

"What?" She said. Are you planning to follow me around all day, seriously? She wanted to curse the young lady.

"Sheesh… You know we travelled long hours but you certainly didn't talk. That's a bit interesting. You somewhat remind me of my brother. Well he's not my brother in blood and all but we came from the same orphanage… that thing I told you earlier, remember?" Selphie chatted.

"Yeah about the sixth, I think?" Claire recalled without even looking. She walked down the stairs and headed for the exit. She swiped her card and the metal bar blocking the small gate clicked open. Outside the station, she continued her steps to the main road, completely aware that Selphie is still following her. She chose to take the narrow alley she saw on her right in hopes of losing her stalker and internally regretted her decision right away. Oh crap. It was too dark throughout the pathway but as soon as she reached the end and turned left she can finally see the road and the vehicles passing through at the farther end of the alley that tells her the way she chose is also heading for the main road.

Cannot contain her irritation anymore, she turned on her back and scorned. "What do you want from me, really?!"

Selphie stopped and her face mirrored the expression of shock. "Well… I… Aaaahhhh!" She screamed and jumped in surprise as a strange man with a black mask appeared from the dark corner behind them and snatched her bag from her shoulder. She's obviously been mugged. "My baaaaaggg!" She continued screaming.

Before the thief could get anywhere with the thing he had stolen, Claire stuck her right foot sideways and tripped the man over as he passed on her side. Before the man could land face first on the bricked floors of the alley, she had already gripped his throat with her right hand and smashed him on the wall, with his feet suspended from the ground and her left hand already aiming a small gun in his skull. Jaw-dropped and awe-struck, Selphie stood behind like a mannequin.

Claire looked up with her piercing glare into the already shaking-in-fright thief she's strangling against the wall. "O-Ok I'm s-sorry! H-here!" The culprit can hardly make the words while having difficulty in breathing as the hand holding his throat tightened and he immediately dropped the brown bag. "P-please let me go!" He surely trembled in fear and begged, staring back and forth at the metal hole of death sticking right into his face and the pair of blue eyes scaring the hell out of his soul.

"It's a surprise you still value your existence." The pinkette casually muttered in her intimidating husky voice as she releases her grip from his throat, the mug fell into the ground and even stumbled getting up and ran as fast as he could for his dear life, tripping a few trash cans and empty boxes on his path in the process.

Claire holstered her gun on her waist and covered it with her long white, cotton jacket. She picked up the stolen bag and her luggage on her other hand and turned her face into the still awe-stricken brunette. "Guess I didn't see that coming. Are you alright?" She raised her left hand with the item. No response. "Tch…" She continued walking instead bringing the bag with her.

Selphie gulped, blinked twice and hurriedly followed the woman before finally speaking. "Y-yes. Thank you." She said between heavy breaths as she kept up with the ex-soldier's fast pace "Wow…" Realizing something, she asked. "Where are you from? Are you from Galbadia? You're good. I bet you're in the military." She accepted her bag that Claire offered to her once again.

"I wouldn't bet on it," the pinkette simply answered although her days as a sergeant for the Sanctum and her current objective to apply as a soldier in Balamb bumped into her mind.

"Oh, that's a bummer," Selphie replied. "Gosh you're really good! You have great skills and all. I don't know but schools can use someone as good as you." She added. And as if a bulb lit up on her head she further added, "You know I'm working at the Balamb Garden. I'm a soldier. I'm a SeeD actually! I-I just don't have my weapon with me right now and I'm caught off guard." She explained in embarrassment. She reached for her bag and held out her wallet. She pulled some sort of an identification card and held it in the woman's face.

"You're a soldier?" Claire wanted to burst into laugh. Well in that manner I suppose your school really needs a hand. She inwardly mocked.

"I mean your skills, you're so fast! You can join us! I'm 999% sure you will fit in there!" She excitedly suggested.

"I am about to," she simply replied.

"Really, well I can arrange that for you!" Selphie said excitedly.

"I do have my appointment tomorrow thank you." She informed her. "I'm going now." She turned her back to her. "You can come along if you want."

"Can I?" the brunette asked. Assuring that the offer she just heard wasn't a joke.

"You don't want to?" Claire asked in return.

"Of course I do!" Selphie jumped in excitement. "Oh! Wait." She said as she saw something and she immediately ran towards the other street and disappeared from the crowd.

"What now?" She spun her heel and hurriedly walked towards where Selphie had gone. She scanned the whole sidewalk, to her left and right, even on the other side of the road. There are a lot of people walking and crossing and it made her search even more difficult. Just where did she go? She continued walking and turned on what the road sign says the Seaside Road where the other side of the road is obviously where the shore is and the sidewalk where she is standing right now is a long line of stores that sells various items, coffee shops and restaurants. And surely there, she found the brunette peeking through one of the window stores. She walked towards the store named Glamour du Fior and stopped just in front of the door beside where the woman is standing. She glanced at what the lady is looking at and gently shook her head in disappointment. Once again I'll never understand women's fashion. She commented to herself. She looked on what she's currently wearing. Well, she doesn't even care if it's the latest fashion but at least she's comfortable with it. I killed these clothes like I was born here, she thought. In fact she looked just like a tourist vacationing in Balamb.

She audibly cleared her throat. The SeeD who is preoccupied in admiring the clothing displays in the shop jumped in surprise and looked at her left.

"Oh! Hey look!" Selphie pointed at the mannequin behind the glass window. "I was passing by and I glanced at this dress and I was like fallen in love! Aww… Look how cute it is! I really want one!" She gushed.

Lightning cleared her throat once more. She couldn't bear seeing this woman idolizing what to her is just a simple piece of sewed cloth. "Okay. Can we go now?" She started, ignoring the woman completely smitten by a dress. "I still need to study." The ex-soldier added.

At that instant, Selphie had already forgotten all about the dress and skipped towards her.

"Oh! The aptitude test! Right!" The SeeD jumped in excitement and held the pinkette's hands out of joy. "You know what? You'll never regret it I promise!" She guaranteed. "I can't wait to blow up the enemies into smithereens with you!"

Claire smiled and just managed to say "Okay. But not for now, I just need you to be quiet."

"Copy that!" Selphie saluted to her as if already welcoming her in the Garden family and winked. "Come to think of it, sis. We haven't eaten since we rode the train and we've travelled that looooong. I feel famished." She rubbed her stomach with her face obviously stating tiredness. "What do you say we eat first before I head to school? Since you retrieved my bag from that punk, it's going to be my treat!" Before she can even hear any objections, she let out the words, "I'm not taking no for an answer." And she pulled the woman's hand towards one of the restaurants overlooking the sea.

Sitting on a round table for two at the cafe's balcony facing the sea and the marvelous sunset, the two had already finished eating and are now taking a cup of coffee.

"Say, what made you apply? I mean you should've gone when you were younger. We're about the same age I think." The SeeD asked the ex-soldier sitting just in front of her.

"It doesn't interest me before." Claire lied. She folded her arms in her chest and crossed her legs as she leaned on her chair while she looked away at the sea so it wouldn't become so obvious. She's not really a good liar.

"Well that's some sort of a midlife crisis," Selphie commented. "I get it don't worry." she chuckled. "Honestly being a soldier isn't that easy. I've known a lot of people who backed down and didn't continue their training. I was as halfhearted as they are but I thought of my friends. I thought no, I won't jump off the ship and leave them."

Lightning switched her look to the SeeD who in return was looking down at her coffee cup she obliviously stirred for quite too many. She thought she might've been too harsh with this person. She believed she was just being genuinely thoughtful and friendly.

"So you fight alongside friends, huh?" She asked, trying her best not to sound mean. "I still honestly wonder why you're telling me all these."

The brunette raised her head again. "What do you mean? Why not?" She was completely oblivious of what the question meant.

"Nothing. I just find it weird that you find it easy to make friends with a complete stranger and here you are telling me stories about your life." She stared at the young lady.

The SeeD looked at the couple eating at a table beside them. "I don't know. Maybe because I feel nothing in this world will bring harm to me. I feel so safe and just happy." She shifted her gaze at the distance. "I am a carefree type of person. I love to make friends, chat and hang with them. I value every person I meet. Regardless of what they are, if you show kindness and love to everyone who would want to harm you?" She then looked at the woman in front of her. "And besides everyone is friendly and lovable, you don't need to be afraid to trust."

Claire smirked. "Really? Like the thief a while ago who tried to snatch your bag?"

Selphie pouted. "Well, maybe he just needed the money so bad. If I gave it to him I'm sure he wouldn't hurt me."

"So you treat everyone as a charity case?" She shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe I'm hearing this from an actual soldier. Isn't it your job to deal with them? Stealing is still a crime regardless of the reason why they commit it. And don't forget, trusting everyone doesn't guarantee that no one will bite you. And that's a fact. Trust the wrong kind and you're a goner."

The SeeD is clearly shocked at the woman's reaction. "Hey are you mad?" She asked after a moment. "You're almost yelling I thought maybe I sort of annoyed you. I could sometimes be that stubborn without noticing. I'm sorry." They just got out from the restaurant and are now at the sidewalk again.

Claire was also shocked at how she reacted. She somehow used the situation to vent her foul mood. Great. She silently cursed herself and now felt really sorry for the woman. "No. I just talk like this when I'm implying something," she excused. "I'm sorry. I know it sounds harsh. But that's the reality of life. Don't take it too bad. It's also for your own good." She paused.

"I understand. I honestly don't feel bad about it. It's a piece of advice. You're not the first person who had told me that actually. And I still feel you're a kind person." she replied cheerfully.

"Right." The ex-soldier replied after a moment. "I think we better head off to where we should be."

"To the Garden, we go!" Selphie raised her fist up.

She smiled. "By the way, it's Claire." She introduced herself.

Selphie looked up as if she was remembering something, "Oh, right! What am I thinking? All this time I haven't even asked for your name! Sheesh… Well, Claire? That's a cute one!" She held up her right hand and the pinkette took it. "It's so nice to meet you!"

"And thank you…for tagging along." It's true that she is somehow thankful that she had taken her mind off from thinking even for a while and that she had someone to talk to, even if she doesn't talk that much and how persistent and irritating this person was. Still it is somewhat a relief for her.

"Tee hee! Hey, I know you might not agree with this but I really want to be friends with you. Can I just call you…sis? I just don't like the formalities you know, it's just for oldies," the brunette asked.

"If that's what you want." She thought about Snow who is dying for her to be his sister but she won't allow him and here she is, giving Selphie the freedom to call her "sis" any time she wants. Ah, to hell with it. That guy is an idiot.

Selphie waved at the cab that had just stopped in front of them and dropped off its passenger. They rode the vehicle and they headed towards the infamous military school.