On the Prowl
Just to break the tension, 'cause you know, the boys do tend to choke when I'm the instructor sent to support them. Some choke in different ways than others. I have to say it was intriguing to see which of them would prove to be better. As I always thought, Squall and Seifer were both very strong…
When Squall faced Ifrit as prerequisite to the SeeD field exam the task had gone smoothly, routinely even. It had been… boring. It was one more bit of proof that I was right about his potential as a soldier. It's a pity it didn't prove any of the things I'd been especially looking forward to seeing. Everyone says that the Sorceress War we fought in is all the proof that could be needed. Squall and the rest of us won. Seifer lost. They think it's all so clear cut. Rinoa understands, and oddly enough it was with her cooperation that I finally got a lead into the truth that had filled my thoughts since before the whole mess started.
(flashback to Seifer's GF assignment)
The lightening struck the ground with a vengeance making a near constant wall of crackling power. The thunder acted as Heaven's drummer, announcing the army of energy's attack. Only a few places remained safe to shelter in. Quistis and Seifer took cover in one of these while she let him come up with a method of approach to conquer the lightening Guardian Force.
"The damn thing would be easy enough to take down if it weren't such a pain to approach." He looked at her with steely-green eyes and, naturally, a smirk. "Any brilliant ideas, Instructor?"
She shrugged, pretending boredom and aloofness. "You could always wait it out. He does let the storm rest occasionally."
Seifer's scowl deepened. "I don't like waiting."
The corners of Quistis' mouth twitched upward. "Either that or you could race through the wall of death. If that doesn't appeal, I'm sure you can think of something to pass the time."
"Like what? A game of cards?" He looked at her fiercely to see if that was indeed what she was suggesting. In the face of her expression which gave nothing away he couldn't hold on to the fierceness and only looked somewhat confused as he turned away again. It was when he had his back fully to her that she made her move. She set one hand on his near his neck while she sneaks the other around his waste to settle on his stomach. He went completely tense. "What are you playing at, *Instructor*?"
"I thought you were looking for a way to pass the time." He couldn't see the smile but he knew it was there and that it was anything but innocent. "I do believe your *instructor* could teach you one or two things that could prove… worthwhile."
He turned to face her without breaking contact with her hands. "Well, I've always been an avid learner and a model student, after all." His wolfish grin was a match for hers. "Teach me."
Conquering Quezacotl was nothing to conquering Quistis Trepe. Seifer Almasy was likewise a near impossible conquest. No clear victor was proclaimed before they had to go to the more mundane matter of battling a Guardian Force.
With feathered serpent in the bag and Seifer sworn to secrecy (it's not hard to ensure secrecy once they realize that complete secrecy is the only possible way it could happen again…) the pair returned to Garden. All in all, an enjoyable experience. Quistis couldn't wait to compare her favorite rivals. Now to guess the trick to loosening up Squall…
(back to the present)
Oh well, I gave it a shot. Captain Puberty wasn't quite ready and from what Rinoa tells me… well, you have to give the guy credit for his role in saving the world, I suppose. Thinking back, I can hardly be surprised. Hmm, I wonder where my favorite ex-student is these days. I'll bet there's still something I can teach him.
Fin