Disclaimer: I do not Own FF VIII
She had been surprised. No surprised was to small a word. Flabbergasted that she had not been sentenced to at minimum time in prison… and she was on release, to work in the only place she had learned to call home. There was no way that was real… Squall had pulled through on his word…. Squall… not puberty boy, she had a lot to make up for she knew if she were to ever be able to live a normal life. Well "Normal" is an abstract term… especially in her case. She almost smiled at the absurdity of the thought. Still she was sitting in Ragnorak, next to her old teacher and her classmate of old. She had not said a word and neither of them had tried to get a word out of her. Probably for the best. She wouldn't have had a damned thing to say. There was plenty on her mind but none of it really ever came into focus completely it was all distant confused feelings right now. She took a deep breath and let it out louder than she meant, drawing the eyes of both Squall and Trepe. She verily squirmed under their scrutiny… far too much attention right now. Just sit back and relax. Nothing major, everything is cool.
8&8
Well, she hadn't said anything, and they had been in the air for an hour now. Well it was hardly worth it to expect a word out of Fujin, Ice Queen. Quistis pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and adjusted her seating, after all that trouble the former disciplinary committee had caused they had exonerated them and was now bringing one to live with them. She pinched the bridge of her nose against the oncoming headache. This was a little much. Through all of that, Ultamacia, Pandora, Esthar, and Galbania, she had always assumed that they were the enemy and we are the good guys, but that line becomes more and more blurry every time she looks at the silver haired woman sitting in front of her. Deep down Quistis resolved to come back to this problem later, right now they had a much more important thing to think about, how to break news to the students that one of the people who was taught to be their enemy was now not only not the enemy but an ally, and working for Garden no less! It was times like this she was a little sorry she had gotten her teaching permit back.
8&8
That was the hardest thing I have done, hour of deliberation and fighting with that jackass of a Garden master. He would only be happy if he never saw him again. Ever. He glanced sidelong at the Silver haired woman and drew a little strength from the knowledge he had returned the favor from all those years ago and he let himself smile a little. The hardest part was over but they were not out of the woods yet, next they had to deal with another hurdle. The Students would simply be told. That was all there was too it, just send out a points wide bulletin from the desk of the headmaster and they would have to accept that. Only… where would she teach… he really didn't know anything about her in truth, they had never been friends. Had never been close, had never even been in the same class together. The teaching Exam, it was an appropriate method of sorting. She was smart, he knew that much. He closed his eyes and got to planning that was all that could be done now. She would be evaluated just like the other teachers. It was a lot better than making her a janitor or another lower position.
8&8
The Ragnorak landed in the Quad of Balamb Garden, having long since been retrofitted to this purpose. And under the cover of night moved through the empty halls into the faculty rooms and into a meeting room. They seated themselves around the table and after a few moments of silence Squall began looking across seeing the rather surprised department heads all looking and muttering about the extra Red eyed woman in the room.
"I know what you are all asking, and yes this is Fujin. The Rumors were correct. However that is irrelevant, a special trial was conducted between Galbania and Balamb gardens and it has been determined that she will remain in Balamb garden to pay for the collateral damage inflicted, after being exonerated of all other crimes in light of the ability of the sorceress to manipulate the minds of humans. She will begin work rather soon, likely as a teacher. And Remember. Any harassment of a fellow employee under any circumstances will be dealt with severely. That is all." Squall seated himself to the incredulous stares and quiet conjecture flowing about the room, much argument and complaint was felt but they said nothing to him as they slowly began to leave, few of the instructors looked even indifferent. In fact. If looks could kill…. Squall would probably be flipping burgers in hell right about then. But they left and Squall deflated a little, this was all getting to him. He stood and looked between Quistis, who was still seated there, having come to many of the presented points likely long before he had, it was the only reasonable way to do this and she agreed, he raised a brow wondering why she had not left and she smiled brightly but restrained.
"I would just like to ask my peer a few questions commander. Afterward I will personally escort her to her quarters." She stated firmly and squall nodded knowing better than to bother arguing. He left and returned to his quarters and took a good dosage of painkillers to deal with the monstrous stress headache that would probably keep him up half the night.
Quistis waited until she heard squall step out of earshot before turning a rather steely glare at the white woman. She gathered her thoughts rather carefully before speaking.
"Fujin, I think that things have been pretty hard on you but I also think it is just as much your fault as Siefer's that you abandoned and attacked Garden. Though I don't like it Squall is convinced you are not guilty for whatever reason. It goes against my grain but I have to put my own emotions and suspicions aside. So. Let me be the first to Welcome you aboard to Garden." she extended her hand her face even and measured carefully set as her manicured nails. A bit confused Fujin took her hand, and gave her a rough shake, with her calloused hands and close cut nails. This was coming to be a summarily confusing Day… After that rather contradictory welcome Quistis walked the rather off balance Fujin to her Dorm, which happened to be right next-door to both Squall and Selphie. She found the accommodations rather spacious compared to a prison cell but it was nothing like where she had come from. But hell it was much better than the alternative. She lay down in her bed and was soon off to rather muddled dreams after a rather demented day.
A/N: sorry for this all takeing so long, I'm in a little bit of a rut. Tired all the time... it sucks. well anyway. thoughts and words exchanged. sorry about moveing the story so slow. I have no idea but it is really hard to be realistic with this kinda thing and move at a reasonable clip -.- I am gonna be at this story for a long time it seems.