Seifer-The Meeting

The elevator to 3F, the Headmasters office, came to a slow halt as the doors slid open. The office was back to its original state, the garden hovering at a set location. Naturally the piloting mechanism could be accessed but for now it was out of sight. Old Galabian intelligence proved accurate to the detail on Garden.

A gasp had gone through the Garden as the Posse strode through, paying no mind and heading straight for the Headmaster's office. One idiotic student had actually jumped in front of Seifer challenge him. Seifer had walked through him, without a single break in step, to the general astonishment of all around. He couldn't afford to lose his cool on a moron, not in his fragile position. He'd been staying in Timber, Galabia and Fisherman's Horizon but they had failed him miserable in being a decent home. In fact he found himself isolated, what country didn't know of his participation in the Second Sorceress War, or his former allegiance to Galabia's then ruler Edea and the fact Trebia Garden had been practically blown away. All these crimes, and yet when he had contacted Cid, Edea and Squall they had seemed only happy that he was okay. Squall had been icy at first, but Cid had won him over by claiming that Seifer, like Edea, had been but a pawn of Ultimecia's. Here was home, it was his life, and it had been stolen by Ultimecia when he took Deling hostage and she had used and twisted him. Now he had this chance to be welcome back, and maybe, just maybe have one last crack at the SeeD practical exam.

Cid stood up at his desk, Edea on his left and Squall on his right. His smile was almost as heartbreaking as a scowl. Cid was the father figure Headmaster of Balamb Garden. He was also a man who always had time for his students and who had dedicated himself, and still did, to their training, wellbeing and future life. Cid was the one man he could respect other than Squall and Rajin because Cid had been the one person to ever teach Seifer beyond the boring dogma of class. Also Cid had always been the only man to ever tap into Seifer's potential. Seifer returned Cid's smile with a sadder version of his usual grin.

"Seifer Almasy…welcome back."

"Headmaster…"

"We received your request to return to Garden not so long ago. Seifer, you must understand that the vast majority of staff strenuously objected to allowing you back. The members of the Balamb Garden board did not."

"Board sir?"

"Yes Myself, Edea, Xu, Squall and Quistis Trepe. We decided that you should be allowed back to Garden along with your friends here because it is your home. However this move was done in the hope that you will learn from your mistakes. Your personality does not bother me at all Seifer, but the recklessness you showed in your last SeeD exam did. You have all the makings of a SeeD, and an abundance of talent!"

"Thank you Sir…" Seifer was beginning to feel a little awkward, all this praise and kindness seemed so undeserved, and once I'd have thrown it in his face. I can't, Seifer thought, not this time.

"Seifer, I want a second Gunblade specialist at Balamb Garden. Do you feel you can fulfil my wish?"

The question Seifer had dreaded, could he? It hung in the air, and all eyes turned to Seifer.

"Yes Sir, this time I think I can."

Cid beamed at Seifer, paced once then said

"Due to your experience you will take your exam soon. Their will be no need to attend classes, so I have devised a special time table for the time being. Battle training in the newly improved training area with Squall, followed by a class with either myself or Instructor Trepe, attendance to both of these is compulsory Seifer. However," Cid glanced over at Clare, Fujin and Rajin, "the rest of your day will be free, for Disciplinary Committee or whatever you choose."

"Thank You, Headmaster…" Seifer looked down and then into Cid's eyes.

"Your room has been prepared, it was fitted with a double bed now you are an adult it seems silly to restrict you, you and Clare may sleep there if you wish. Clare is a guest and must therefore honour all Garden rules. Students of Balamb Garden are no longer the machines that I so loathed them being. Each student is an individual, each individual is a student. That concludes our meeting, your free until tomorrow. Rajin and Fujin, the board would like to speak with you both now. Seifer, Clare you are dismissed."

Seifer left Fujin and Rajin and headed straight for the dormitory, Clare tagging along or pretending to, it was-

Nearly time to be punished Seifer…there is no escape, and you don't want to escape. I will crush your will because I love you. You will allow it because you love me…

They reached the dormitory in no time at all, immediately the door was shut and locked, and Clare stood in front of him.

"Seifer…what do you think you've been doing?"

Seifer stared down at the floor, his eyes nearly dead; it was an opening to both interrogation and punishment. Worst of all he was trapped here, unable to tell anyone and unable to escape, trapped…he saw the gleam in Clare's eyes and for the first time in a long time fear clutched Seifer's heart…