The Honest Thoughts of Balamb Garden's Matriarch

It's only two o'clock in the morning but a squad of SeeD's in full armour are already assembled at the entrance of Balamb Garden's cafeteria. In front of them is the 28 years old leader of this mission, Instructor Quistis Trepe who was donning her neatly pressed SeeD uniform matched with spectacles. On her right hand was the Search Permit given and signed by the commander himself which allows them to thoroughly inspect the entire area especially the kitchen, the place which peaks her most interest.

Since it was only wee hours, no one is around besides them and the cooks who are working at the kitchen which were by the way subjected to mild questioning. The said leader approached and greeted them nicely.

"I would like to apologize for summoning you all at this late hour." She started, looking very apologetic. "But we would like to ask you several questions once we are done with the inspection. It was an order from the commander so I'm expecting everyone will hopefully cooperate." She explained.

The workers obediently nodded at her. None of them seem to be nervous. In fact, they all look confused. They were sitting on one of the nearby tables in the empty posh dining area. And obviously, the blonde instructor also gave them the word of keeping anything that's happening right now just within them. They are not to say anything especially to the students.

Quistis signaled the squad to begin with their inspection which the latter obeyed. They quietly dispersed towards their assigned tasks. Just an hour ago, she gathered the SeeDs for further instructions. It was very simple and clear. She wanted samples of all the ingredients and edible products stocked inside the kitchen and to make sure they doesn't miss a single item. She was planning to send all of it to the lab in Esthar where Dr. Kadowaki's friend, Walter works. The old man was kind enough to do the test for them. Well in technical terms, it was an official request from the Garden itself, with a suitable pay and a high level of confidentiality included in it. But still, she's very grateful about it. Hands clasped, she was hoping the scientist will be her huge salvation in solving this case.

She quietly walked around the kitchen, observing the soldiers while they get the job done and inspecting every inch of the room. Several SeeDs were flashing a special kind of light on the utensils, other equipments and the entire area to check for anything suspicious. The rest are gathering the samples Quistis asked them. They are all working in a precise manner like the expert they are. The plan is to inspect the area as quick as possible but with the best accuracy. As much as possible, students suddenly walking and seeing them rummaging the kitchen was the last thing they're avoiding to happen.

About thirty minutes in and the squad are already done with the inspection. They all immediately proceeded to ask the workers one by one, carefully documenting everything they said during the investigation. While they're at it, Quistis just stood in one corner, keenly observing the behaviours of the employees to see if one or some of them will act in an odd way.

Fortunately none of them look suspicious and based on the information the SeeDs have gathered, all of them had no idea on what's going on. All of them said the same thing, they are all going on with their daily lives at the cafeteria like what they are doing for years now. And they all passed the lie detector machine that the squad had brought with them. Which wasn't any help for the frustrated instructor. But she's relieved by the fact that these employees are trustworthy.

At this rate, her only option was to wait for the results coming from Esthar but the samples are just about to be shipped by Ragnarok, their most trusted airship and the fastest.

Now standing in the Garden's hangar, in front of the enormous dragoon-like flying vehicle, Instructor Trepe was watching the staffs who were in the process of loading the said airship. After checking the schedule, she quickly summoned Selphie Tilmitt, along with other SeeD co-pilots to deliver the samples as fast and carefully as possible.

The nunchaku expert/pilot who was now wearing her SeeD pilot uniform is already on stand by beside her, pondering everything she learned from the oddly serious instructor. "Then...we might find something after these stuff were already examined." She voiced her thoughts.

Quistis sighed. "Hopefully. This case won't stop bothering me until this is solved. If this is a foul play which I suspect it is, I will make sure the culprit will be punished accordingly. Whoever that was, that person dared to endanger the lives of the students and it makes me so mad. I won't ever forgive them." She said, not even trying to hide her anger and frustration.

Selphie placed a hand on her shoulder. "I completely understand, Quisty. You're already like...the mother of this Garden. A mother we all need. And just like what Squall said, we all have our ways of protecting this school but what matters is we all share the same feeling of importance towards it." The brunette consoled, gently squeezing her shoulder.

"As for my part...I'll make sure to deliver them in Esthar, safe and sound!" Selphie shouted in a cheerful voice while she quickly started her steps towards the airship with her co-pilots in tow, assuring her friend that everything will turn out well. The hangar staffs are already done with their loading and inspection.

"Thank you." She managed to smile. "And take care!" She quickly added. The brunette turned to her and waved with a big smile.

"I'll be back soon!" Selphie replied before the enormous entrance door of the Ragnarok fully closed.

The blonde instructor left the hangar and quickly went into the control tower as the airship prepared its departure.

She watched as Ragnarok came to life with its mighty engines roaring like a true dragoon. It slowly left the ground, making its ascension while taking its stance and in just a few seconds, it speeds away on the launching tunnel. Heading through the horizon where the sun is just rising, gradually becoming smaller and smaller on her vision.

After the airship had gone, Quistis slowly made her way back to her office. The sound of her heels are echoing through the quiet empty hallway. She drink in on the surroundings as she walked, thinking about how this place became her life in the process. She circled the main hall towards the staircase and quietly climbed it stopping only with her lifeless steps when she reached the elevator. Her head was low, her shoulders sagged from exhaustion but she doesn't want to sleep. She just can't. Not with anything that's happening around her. Why is she being like this? She was emotionally drained. The elevator pinged and the door slid open, she slowly entered and leaned on the marbled wall.

People might not understand it, but she cares this much towards the school and much more the students. Why? She grew up being abused by her adopted parents. More than the physical damage they did to her, what really crushed her was their words. They made her feel worthless. Not needed. They were the one who broke her. She promised herself she will strive hard so people will finally see her valuable. Indispensable.

The elevator reached the third floor and she started her steps on the dim hallway. She fished her id from her pocket and swiped it on the sensor of her office door. It clicked open and she invited herself inside before gently closing the huge wooden door. Not bothering to turn on the lights, she slumped on her comfortable office chair and leaned on it, closing her eyes at the same time.

The moment she turned thirteen with the help of her exceptional wits, she had the opportunity to enter Balamb Garden. She can clearly remember the feeling, the first time she set foot on these marbled floors. On the entrance was Headmaster Cid, waiting for her, welcoming her with a big smile. He gently shook her hand and his words were the very first words she heard that complimented her.

"You're a very intelligent kid." He said.

She can't forget the genuine impression on Headmaster Cid's face while he stared at her with the most genuine kindness. Years had passed and she became the first youngest SeeD, she eventually acquired her license and became an instructor in just a short amount of time. At that point, everyone was admiring her. She grew up with a close to perfection appearance matched with her brains. Everyone seem to recognize her existence. Everyone finally appreciated her.

Then there's Squall, Zell, Selphie and Irvine. The people she spent her childhood with before she was taken away. Those times they were playing at the shore, running through the fields, not caring in the world. The time when everything was simple. But they were the happiest.

Several years later, she remember opening the door of the headmaster's office and feeling her life complete just by seeing their faces. From Squall whose brows were knitted while half of his face is buried in whatever he's reading, to Selphie whose jumping and waving with her sweetest smile, to Zell struggling to smile while his face was stuffed with hotdogs, to Irvine's annoying grin and wink which she knew were him just teasing her. They became adults, but through the years they proved that they will always be there for her even through the hard times. In fact, they went through the hard times together. They leaned on each other and supported each other. They are her true family.

A tear fell on her cheek, her breathing was deeper from her welling emotions. The only sound you can hear was the ticking of the old clock hanging on the wall.

More than the admiration she gets from random people, the only thing that matters to her was her true friends, this school, her students. Those who welcomed her warmly and accepted her without a doubt for what she truly was. And in return, she will give her best to be there for all of them. Always.

And now her heart is in pain, knowing that someone was trying to hurt everything that is left of her. Everything that really means to her.

"One thing is for sure, I will be the bind that will unite this school, stronger than ever and the one who will nurture and protect my students." She thought with determination. In her mind, no one will ever compare her love and devotion towards those who matters to her. No one.

"I will never, ever become like them." She promised to herself.

Writer's Note:

Speaking of promises, I'm back with a new chapter. And a special one. (Yeah... Claire might be needing to sit out on this one too.)

While our favorite instructor is in the spotlight, I decided to squeeze her backstory in hopes of explaining their characters thoroughly. I'm going to do this with the other characters as we progress with this story.

Thanks and I hope you'll enjoy it!