When he awoke the spring sun was shining through the open window, and the sound of birds was wafting in on a warm morning breeze. He lay there with his eyes closed, silently savoring the scent of wet earth that drifted in, drowning the too clean chemical smell of the infirmary. Squall sighed, wishing he was still asleep, and pushed himself into a sitting position. As he rose, a jolly looking woman in a long white coat bustled into the cubicle.
"Oh good, you're awake. How do you feel?" Squall snorted inwardly at the question. He felt fine; he had spent the night in the infirmary only because it seemed easier to placate Dr. Kadowaki, than storm out with indignant anger as Seifer had.
"Ok, I guess," he muttered after a pause.
"Excellent. Now say you're name for me." Squall couldn't help but feel a stab of annoyance at such a pointless demand. Again, however, it was simply easier to answer than to make a big deal out of it.
"Squall."
Dr. Kadowaki nodded. "You should be more careful next time, you might not get so lucky."
Luck, said a dry voice in his head, had nothing to do with it.
"Tell that to Seifer," he said aloud.
Kadowaki sighed. "That Seifer. He doesn't listen to anybody."
We salute you, Captain Obvious.
"Why don't you just ignore him?"
Because thought Squall, Ignoring Seifer only makes him angry.
Not that Squall feared Seifer's anger, but it was just easier to fight him. Not to mention the fact that Squall would never turn down a challenge. A truth Seifer exploited frequently. Squall wasn't sure why, but as long as he could remember he had felt the need to prove himself. Not to the world, but to himself. That he could stand alone, and take care of himself, without relying on anyone. As he grew older taking petty dares didn't matter to him any more, but a challenge from Seifer was something his pride would not allow him to pass up. Especially when if he won, Seifer would shut up and leave him alone for a while.
"I can't just run away."
"So you want to be cool, huh? Well just don't get hurt in the process."
Squall snorted again. Typical. Being "cool" was probably the last thing on his mind, but he decided just to let it go.
"Whatever."
Dr. Kadowaki stood expectantly at the foot of his bed as if she was waiting for something more. When Squall remained silent, she turned and walked to the phone on the wall of the cubicle.
"Let me see…you're instructor is…" she paused, "Quistis!" Kadowaki ran her finger down the list of faculty members and their extensions that was taped next to the phone, found the name she was looking for, and dialed.
"Quistis?...Yes, come get you're student…..No, the injury isn't serious, however it'll probably leave a scar…"
Squall lay back brushing his dark hair out of his eyes, his mind drifting from the telephone conversation. He groaned inwardly, recalling again his loss to Seifer the previous evening. He'll never shut up now….
The fact that Seifer had cheated meant absolutely nothing. In fact, Squall was completely disgusted with himself for not anticipating such a Seifer-like tactic. Using magic in a strictly weapon only duel was exactly the kind of thing Seifer would do. Squall had even expected Seifer to cheat, but in the heat of battle he had forgotten his suspicions completely.
His musings were interrupted when he caught a sudden motion in his peripheral vision. He turned his head to get a better look. The divider between his cubicle and the next was tinted glass, but even so he could see a young woman, who leaned towards him, and spoke.
"Squall…so we meet again…"
When she spoke, Squall could see her lips move, but the voice seemed to be in his head rather than in his ears. The girl studied him for a moment, then straitened, turned, and walked out. The door had barely closed after her before it hissed open again, and Instructor Trepe entered.
Qustis Trepe was a tall blonde woman. She was the youngest instructor in Garden, and was so popular among her students that she even had a club of groupies who called themselves the "Trepies". It wasn't hard to see why they worshiped her. She was an exceptional fighter, extremely beautiful, and had one of those motherly personalities. As usual, Quistis had her hair pinned back into a loose fold at the back of her head with the ends poking up. Two long strands hung on either side of her face. She was wearing her SeeD uniform, a navy blue and black suit and skirt, trimmed in gold, with a red tie. When she saw Squall she sighed and shook her head giving him a small smile.
"I knew it would either be you or Seifer," she said with a slightly exasperated tone. For a third time, Squall did not even bother with a response. Quistis shrugged off his cold silence, and gestured him to follow her, "Come on, today's the field exam."
If she had been expecting an enthusiastic reply, she was again brutally disappointed, as Squall rose without acknowledging her, and walked out of the infirmary. For a moment her face fell, portraying the frustration and disappointment she felt, but the expression left her face in a flash, as she gazed perplexedly out the window for a fraction of a second, then hurried out after her student. To her surprise he was waiting for her just outside the door, but he was obviously lost in thought. As they began walking down the hallway, Quistis could not resist the urge to reach out to her brooding student.
"Is there something on your mind?" she asked tentatively. He did not look at her or stop walking. Precisely what she had expected.
"…Not really." They said in unison. Quistis stopped walking abruptly, and burst into a light, happy laugh. Yet again, Squall was acutely annoyed.
"What's so funny?" he snapped. Quistis stopped laughing, but continued smiling brightly, which, if anything, only added to the young man's annoyance.
"No, its not that, I'm just happy" she explained, "I feel like I'm finally beginning to understand my student a little, that's all."
Squall looked at her, his face completely expressionless, his cold eyes boring into hers. Then, he turned and continued walking down the hallway.
"I'm more complex than you think." His voice was emotionless. Quistis stood for a moment, then rushed to catch up with him.
"Then tell me," she pressed, "tell me more about yourself."
Squall sighed, allowing his annoyance to show, "It's none of your–"
"–Business!" She finished, and erupted into laughter once more. Squall ignored her and aimed his attention up at the colossal main structure of Balamb Garden, looming above him.
The main structure was roughly infundibular, like a series of doughnuts set on top of one another, getting progressively smaller over the first three levels, and a half sphere resting on top. At the front was a large metal gate, through which was a sort of concrete courtyard, covered with an arbor and edged with flower planters. Beyond the courtyard was a security checkpoint with line of metal detectors and electrically locking gates with a bulletproof booth on each wall. To the right of the front gate, a road emerged from the parking garage and led off towards the town of Balamb. Arranged around the outside of the bottom level were seven smaller structures: the Parking Garage, the Library, the Training Center, the Dormitories, the Cafeteria, the Quad, and the Infirmary. Each was attached by a long hallway, which was permanently roofed, but in the upper half of the walls were broad, retractable, glass windows, and all along their length were periodical openings which led out into the open areas between the hallways. On a spring day like this the windows were down, the doors were flung wide, and students mingled here and there, lounging in the shade, sitting at picnic tables hurriedly completing homework assignments for their next period, and sparring on the grass. All across the campus were fountains and water works, which were channeled through the structure from a decorative reservoir beneath the circular suspended walkway that ran around the ground floor of the main structure, linking the hallways to the smaller structures, circling the elevator column in the center.
Most classes were held in the classrooms on the second floor, or in the lecture halls and auditorium on the third floor. Combat classes were held in designated portions of the open areas between hallways, in the Quad, or in the Training Center. Classes on dancing, astronomy, and social functions; practical etiquette classes; practical and social espionage; and occasionally lectures or combat classes (if the weather was inhospitable or all the lecture halls were booked) were held in the ballroom, which was also on the third floor. Since the elevator only serviced the basement, first, second, and fourth floors, the auditorium, ballroom, and lecture halls could only be reached by the stairs from the second floor.
Squall's homeroom was in a classroom on the second floor, and when Quistis was waylaid by another student outside the infirmary, Squall did not bother to hold the elevator for her. Nor did he wait for her when he reached the second level, thus when he entered the class he was alone. He was late, so inevitably any attempt at an inconspicuous entry would've been futile, as every set of eyes flickered up inquisitively at the sound of the door sliding open. Squall ignored them as he walked taciturnly to his terminal at the back of the room, sat down, and waited silently for the Instructor to arrive. A minute or so later, the door slid open, and Quitsis strode briskly in, greeting her class warmly.
"Good morning class," she said cheerfully, as she entered, "ok, let's start with today's schedule," she paused, looking around at her lethargic class, "as there seem to have been some rumors flying around since yesterday…"
Quistis smiled slightly as her class instantly transformed from a state of inert torpidity to a living thing as her words registered with them. Those who had heard the rumors began whispering excitedly to those who had not, and the whole ambiance of the room shifted instantly from languid indifference to excited anticipation.
"Yes," the instructor said, loudly enough to be heard over the buzz, and the class instantly returned to dead silence, "yes," she repeated in a softer voice, "the Field Exam for SeeD candidates will be held later this afternoon." The class broke into excited whispers once more, and Quistis was again forced to raise her voice, "Non participants, and those unfortunate souls who either failed the written exam last week, or did not complete the prerequisite will remain in Study Hall. Participants in the exam will have free time until the exam; however make sure you are in top shape. Unit assignments will be announced at 1600 hours in the front hall. Be punctual, as tardiness will not be tolerated. Assignments are only announced once, and if you miss you're assignment, you will be automatically disqualified. Do not forget from that from the time you're assignment is announced, until the time you return from the mission, you are being observed and graded. Any questions?" By the complete silence, she judged that they didn't.
"Alright then, if there aren't any questions, class dismissed." The students began to gather their belongings amidst excited conversations about the exam. "Oh! And Seifer," she added over the hum, "do NOT injure you're partner while training. Be more careful from now on." Seifer did not answer, only glared at the blonde woman for a moment, then aimed a look of pure contempt at Squall, who completely ignored it. Seifer raised one fist and slammed it on the terminal in front of him, which Quistis decided to treat as a sign of acquiescence.
"Thank you, Seifer. I'm sure Squall accepts you're apology. Field Exam participants, I will see you all later," Seifer glared icily at her for a moment, then rose and filed out of the class with the rest of the students. "And Squall?" she said, "I need to talk to you." Squall sighed with resignation, rose slowly, and walked up to her desk.
"You haven't been to the fire cavern yet, have you?"
Squall shook his head.
"You won't be able to take the field exam without passing the prerequisite."
"I know," Squall said, as he rested his head in his palm. I was going to go yesterday, but Seifer wanted to duel and…A lightning bolt of realization struck him. That prick! He was trying to incapacitate me, so that I wouldn't be able to take the exam!
Quistis sat silently for a moment, before interrupting her student's thoughts, "Do you have a good excuse?"
Well, it was my fault for agreeing to fight Seifer, and being dumb enough to let him win so, "Not really…."
"Well, then we'd better get going, hadn't we? Go grab your gear, and some breakfast and send me a text when you're ready," she said with finality, then turned and exited, ignoring three twittering students grouped by the door, which were no doubt 'Trepies'. The trio watched disappointedly as she strode past them, and as Squall passed them he heard one mutter enviously.
"Alone with Instructor Trepe…"
"If he does anything to her…" Another replied menacingly.
Squall could not help but laugh as he followed the instructor out the door.
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As Squall left the classroom, the garden's clock tolled off eight bells. With nothing to do before the exam but go to the Fire Cavern, he figured he had enough time for a quick breakfast. As he strolled down the hall towards the elevator, he heard a ding as it reached his floor. He rounded the corner just as a lithe figure in a cadet's uniform bolted out of the elevator before the doors before they were more than half open, and streaked towards him screaming, "I'm late, I'm late, I'm LAAAAAAATE!!!!!!"
He had just enough time to register that the student was petite and female before she charged strait into him. He was knocked back a step, allowing his legs to absorb the shock, but the girl rebounded off of him and was thrown to the floor. Squall straitened, and looked disapprovingly down at the girl. He found himself, for what seemed like the hundredth time that morning…annoyed. He toyed with the idea of asking her if she was ok, but abandoned the idea in favor of a nice, friendly, cold silence.
"……"
The girl was completely oblivious to his displeasure. She rose to her feet, brushing herself off, and giving Squall an enormously friendly, slightly apologetic smile.
"Sorry about that" she beamed, "Did you just come from that classroom?"
When Squall nodded, the girls face seemed to melt, and her whole demeanor seemed to wilt.
"Is homeroom over?"
Squall nodded again.
"Noooooooooooooooo!" the girl wailed mournfully, "this place is so much bigger than my last Garden." And then, just like flipping a light switch in a dark room, the girl's whole attitude transformed instantly. The droop went out of her shoulders and the comically sad expression on her face was replaced by the radiant smile, "I just transferred here from Trabia Garden, do you think you could give me a tour?!" she bubbled happily.
Squall could tell immediately that she was one of those perpetually enthusiastic, optimistic, positive, uplifting, upbeat, happy people. And so of course, on principle, he didn't like her.
"Don't have the time."
The girl was completely unfazed. Her smile didn't waver even slightly.
"Oh, ok," she chirped brightly, "well maybe I'll see you around!" And with that, she sauntered off down the hall. Squall sighed and walked over to the elevator.
Today he thought, as he pushed the elevator's call button, is going to be a very long day.
His assertion was further cemented when he entered the cafeteria, only to find Seifer and his two closest friends, Fujin and Rajin, congregated around a vending machine. The trio made up the disciplinary committee of Balamb Garden, a group formed by the Headmaster, with the sole purpose of containing Seifer's bullying and power plays to misbehaving students, with the added benefit of enforcing rules. It kept Seifer from causing too much trouble, and helped the Faculty keep the students in hand.
The three of them could usually be found prowling the halls and grounds, scouring the campus for deviant students, Seifer, tall and blonde, the obvious leader of the group, followed by Fujin and Rajin. Rajin looked intimidating from afar. He was an absolute behemoth: well over six feet tall with dark skin stretched tight around bulging, rock hard muscles. Squall often found himself wondering how Rajin fit into the group, since upon closer inspection, he proved to be loud, friendly, and almost completely harmless to everyone he liked, which was basically everyone he met. Fujin, on the other hand, was petite, with fair skin, short silver hair, and a black eye patch that no one knew if she actually needed. She hardly ever spoke, and when she did it was in single, harsh fragments. All the underclassmen were afraid of her, and anyone who talked to her got the impression that this was not a girl you'd want to be on the wrong side of. Like the feeling you get when you hold a grenade, knowing the destructive power of it, yet wondering how it could be so small. She, like Seifer, possessed an air of frigid cruelty, while Rajin was the proverbial gentle giant.
Just as Squall was passing them, Seifer looked up and saw him. Before he could say anything however, Fujin shook her head at Seifer.
"IGNORE."
Seifer nodded and turned back to the vending machine just as Rajin looked up and saw Squall.
"YO! It's Squall! You want something to drink? Fujin's treating us!" He shouted, his face glowing with excitement. Before Squall could even think of a reply, Fujin glared at Rajin,
"RAGE." She snapped, and drove her boot into Rajin's shin.
"AHHHH! OW! What was that for?!?!"
Fujin rolled her eye exasperatedly and turned back to the vending machine as Seifer chuckled. He looked over at Squall, "Can't you see we're busy? Leave us alone." As Squall turned away, Rajin grabbed his sleeve.
"Fujin can be a little harsh sometimes," he whispered, "don't worry about it, ya know?"
Squall nodded. He did know, and it looked as though Rajin were about to get a reminder, as Fujin spun around.
"WHAT?"
"Oh! N-nothing."
Fujin glowered at him for a few seconds but her thoughts were interrupted as a cadet charged through the door behind them. He had the build of a fighter: shorter, muscular, and very agile. His hair was blonde, and a tattoo stretched across the left side of his face. He exploded into the cafeteria like the dogs of hell were on his heels and ran up to the counter.
"Do…. do you have any… any hotdogs left?" he panted.
"Nope. We're all sold out."
"DAMN! Not again," the cadet wailed, "I can never get here early enough." He seemed on the verge of tears as he walked slowly back out of the cafeteria, a picture of dejection. As he passed the four of them, Seifer's face light up with an evil smirk.
"……Speeding." He said.
"AFFIRMATIVE."
"Roger, ya know!"
"Let's go arrest him for violating Garden Regulations," Seifer said, and with that the three of them exited after the cadet. Squall shook his head, the cadet's name was Farell or Turell or Zell or something weird like that, and for some reason Seifer loved to bully him. No doubt Seifer was savoring the opportunity to further ruin the blonde cadet's day. Sure, he was abusing his power, but Seifer knew that he had to play by the rules most of the time to keep the power of his position, so he saved his limited abuse privileges for special cases which usually involved the tattooed cadet.
The remainder of Squall's breakfast was uneventful. He finished quickly, then went back to his room for a quick shower and his equipment. By the clock in his cell phone it was 0934 by the time he'd gathered his equipment and sent Quistis a text telling her to meet him at the front gate in ten minutes.
A/N:
So here's chapter 2, for all 29 of you who read the first one. Just in case youre wondering why it takes me so long, I have a life. Lol, and I could use some help editing. I do as much as I can, but I probably still miss stuff, so if anyone wants to help, that'd be great. I'd even be interested in co-authoring this if anyone wanted to help me out.