Rough and Rude

"Well… Here we are! The home of the blue heroes! Balamb Garden!" Selphie proudly announced as they stood in front of a huge black metal gate guarded atop by two large gargoyle statues in each side as the giant mobile school towers behind it.

"The military base is called a Garden and the soldiers it produce are called seeds. That's a cute concept." Lightning dully commented while looking up at the structure.

"I know right! It's Headmaster Cid's idea, you know? And THIS!" the nunchaku specialist proudly raised her arms as she referred to the enormous blue school that mightily stood in front of them, "This is his dream!" she then landed her hands on her waist and smiled as if boasting the academy to her companion.

The pinkette looked at the woman uninterestingly and shifted again her look on the metal gate as two men in SeeD uniform arrived. They opened the gates and saluted the SeeD way. Selphie replied with the same salute and spoke "At ease." The soldiers then stood straight. They then shifted their gaze at the unfamiliar woman.

"And you are?" The man with the spectacles named Cyrux Verouge asked suspiciously.

Selphie intercepted even before Lightning thought she needed to react and immediately said "She's a friend of mine and she's here to take the aptitude test."

"But the test is scheduled for tomorrow." The soldier with a scar on it's right cheek named Rues Orlenburg replied as he narrowed his eyes.

"By any chance, do you have your invitation letter with you?" Verouge firmly asked as he adjusted his glasses while inspecting the woman in front of them.

"Hey, hey, hey! What's wrong with all the reception guys? Why do you act so suspecting and stuff? I told you she's my friend, duh?" Selphie rolled her eyes.

"I understand. But we have our S.O.P's when it comes to outsiders. You should know that by now. We don't let them enter the premises without any official invitation or approval." Verouge explained in his monotonous tone.

"I don't have the invitation letter." Claire casually replied that earned her a more suspecting reaction from the two men.

"In that case we will be needing to escort you to the city for now and we will even book you a room until tomorrow's test. I apologize but we cannot let you inside." Verouge replied and he bowed as he spoke the words I apologize.

"But-" Selphie was interrupted as Claire spoke again.

"That's quite a hassle. I came all the way from Esthar and traveled that far. I thought President Loire said I will be warmly permitted to stay here and study until tomorrow. I think it's time I give him a call." She sarcastically said as she pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed. She's damn serious even by the look on her face.

The SeeD's exchange confusing looks, while Selphie stared in awe as she realized that the woman is somewhat affiliated with Laguna, as the flash stepped a bit far from them while she talk to someone from the other line. Not long has passed and she returned, offering her phone to Verouge.

"He wants to talk to you." She simply muttered.

The soldier cleared his throat as he accepted the mobile and turned his back at them.

"Hello?"

"Oh! Mr. President."

"My name is Cyrux Verouge, sir."

"Yes sir."

"I understand, sir."

"Certainly, sir."

"I apologize, sir."

"Yes. Absolutely sir. Goodbye."

That's all the three heard from the SeeD as the latter spoke to Laguna on the phone. He cancelled the call, faced them and returned the phone to Claire.

"Miss Farron, my apologies. We weren't informed that you are expected to arrive today." He then cleared his throat once more. "To make it up to you, let us escort you to your room, miss. Again, we apologize." And they bowed.

"Just doing your job. It's fine." Claire replied.

Selphie sighed and commented, "I told you, right?" and rolled her eyes once more as she tugged the pinkette's arm and before they started walking she added, "Never mind. I'll take her to her room. Just deliver her luggage. And this time do it right, 'kaaay?"

Selphie tapped the key card on the sensor beside the door of the room and then the door clicked open. They stepped inside and Claire scanned the room.

"Well, here's the bathroom and there's the kitchen and the mini dining table. Fridge is right there and you can stock them with groceries, cook on that stove and stuff if you don't want to fall in line at the cafeteria." The brunette pointed in every location she mentioned and the visitor just looked at every location she pointed.

The SeeD walked towards another door in front of them that hissed and automatically slid open and revealed the bedroom.

"Tada! Bedroom!" Selphie winked as she presented the room with her arms. "There's the bed and there's the study table. Oh! And there's the window! I know it's obvious but the view on this room is phenomenal like for real!" She explained enthusiastically. "Most students kill for their grades to earn comfy rooms like this, but not literally anyway." She continued. "Anyway, is this room okay with you?"

Claire nodded. "It's quiet here and cozy. That's enough for me. Thank you."

"Ahum! Okay I won't disturb you so I'm gonna zoom out." The brunette skipped towards the door and she halted. She looked back at the ex-soldier who has her back now, staring at the at the field outside the window. "I'm sorry about Verouge and Rues."

The pinkette turned to face her. "It's fine."

"They're always like that. They are actually the ones assigned at the gates because in reality they suck out there on the field. They're SeeD's but more like dogs guarding their master's home. And they are always rude with other people especially outsiders. That's why they're known here as VeROUGH and RUDES." And she chuckled at the thought.

Claire smiled and just muttered a simple "Forget it."

Selphie nodded. "Okay sis. Good night! See ya around tomorrow, aight?"she smiled and added, "Oh! Your luggage is already here! Buh-bye!" and she gestured a big wave and exited the dorm.

The valkyrie walked towards her luggage, carried it, laid it down on the soft bed and started to unpack. Few clothes, toiletries, books and a tablet. That's all she got inside the leather case. I'm not one to pack too many, much more girly stuffs. She thought.

8:20pm. She checked at the time on her phone after she finished arranging her things. She then decided to take a warm bath. Inside the bathroom, she sat at the tub and savored the warmness of the water. It makes her feel relaxed. She felt like all the stress she's been through the whole day have been washed away. She thought of her sister. Is she mad at her for leaving that soon? That idiot Snow. She should've stayed longer if it wasn't for him. She then begged to herself to focus. Heads up, Claire. You have a big day ahead of you. You need this for yourself. For your dream. Once she's finished she proceeded to the bedroom, dressed up in a white sleeveless shirt and cotton shorts and grabbed her tablet.

"Let's see." She muttered to herself. She started doing research and study all about Balamb and the Garden way before, the moment she decided she wanted to be a soldier again and now, she's reviewing herself with a refresher.

1:48am. She looked at the digital clock sitting on the study table just in front of her and she rubbed her tiring eyes. She drowned herself absorbing informations by informations, facts by facts, do's and don't's and everything she needs to know until she has finally fallen asleep.