The Princess of Light
II: To Kill a Mocking Bird
People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.
- Harper Lee
August 27th, 1998: The Presidential Palace, Esthar
The sun rose upon the sky and an elegant house sat quietly, in the heart of Esthar surrounded by the city. The sunlight shone through the large windows of the house and into the living room. The floating country hovered just south of Japan, encased in an UV filtering glass that protected its Vampire citizens from burning.
Esthar's president and head Vampire Clan leader Laguna Loire sat behind his desk sorting through the pile of paperwork. Running a hand through his long dark hair he pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed in frustration. As he was about to reach for another pile of paperwork, a knock at his door interrupted him.
"Uncle Laguna, Squall should be arriving soon" A tall brunette with bobbed hair and a blue dress peeked through the office doors.
"Oh, hello Ellone" The Clan leader relax at the sound of his niece. "Is everything ready?"
"Yes, but Sq-" The bell rang loudly and Laguna got up and raced to the door completely ignoring Ellone's words
"He's here!" Laguna cried out, a wide child-like smile spread across his fade to match his twinkling sea blue eyes. "Squall!"
Making his way down the spiralling staircase, he spotted his son standing in the hallway with a group of his friends chatting amiably with his two assistants. The sullen looking brunette stood in silence with his arms crossed over his chest and a frown marring his face to match his glaring steel toned eyes as he heard his father call his name.
Knocking over a vase, Laguna opened his arms and dropped them just as quickly when he noticed the expression on Squall's face. "Happy late birthday, Son!"
"Whatever" Squall rolled his eyes but smiled when his older cousin Ellone gave him a hug.
"Happy belated birthday cousin"
"Thanks Ellone"
"Aw, c'mon son, it's good to see ya!" Laguna grabbed his son, wrapping him in a bone-crushing hug, ignoring the boy's struggles to break away "it's a shame you couldn't make it on your actual birthday… oh well, 23rd, 27th, it's all the same! But we're gonna have so much fun this week."
Squall shoved his father off of him, ignoring his snickering friends. "Well, we-"
"Sorry Mr. President, but we're just here on a day pass and have to return to Garden no later than tonight" Seifer interrupted him "Zack's taking us on another training mission and it's a long distance to travel back."
"Howdy Mr. Loire, sorry to interrupt, but speaking of long distance travelling, we're starving" Irvine spoke up, nudging Seifer and Zell
"Hot dogs preferably!" Zell's mouth watered
"Ugh, you Shape shifters and your hot dogs" Cloud frowned at Zell, looking slightly disgusted.
"Yea, you're one to talk" Zell glared back "Blood sucker."
"Behave children. We're guests of Mr. Loire." Irvine cut in between the two as Seifer snorted at them "Besides, us wolves gotta eat too."
"Sorry Mr. Loire" Zell rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly
"That's okay Zell! Let's head to the kitchen, I'll call the staff to make something for everyone." Laguna announced, chuckling at the group. "Boys will be boys."
August 31st, 1998: Celestial Academy of Elemental Sorcery, The Island Closest to Heaven
"OHHHHHH MY GOD" Selphie cried out dreamily as she stared at the marvellous sight of Celestial's Main Hall, all decorated for the opening ceremony. Taking a seat at the Northern Black Turtle House's table with the rest of her team.
She smoothed out the stray hairs falling in front of her face and waved to Rinoa and Ami at their tables. The Main Hall was bustling with students chatting with their classmates.
"Well, it looks like the ceremony's about to begin" Aerith announced to her fellow students at the table, putting a finger to her lips.
"Students, settle down now" the deep voice of one of the older Professors with long raven hair and striking red eyes silenced the hall.
"Thank you Vincent." Headmistress Edea smiled at her colleague and the Vampire nodded to her. "Attention students, this is your first day returning back to your studies, and I would like to celebrate the start of the year with you all. Congratulations and good luck!"
The whole room erupted in a cheer as the feline like Moombas brought in the feasts for the night.
At the Southern table, Ami sat quietly, watching the Moombas do their work, placing the plates, utensils and food onto the tables. Taking a moment to glance around her table at the now familiar faces of the people in her House, she paused to study an older girl across from her with spikey silver hair and dark red eyes.
"Paine." The girl voiced and Ami blushed, embarrassed at being caught staring at the Vampire. "Paine Hiro."
"Hi" Ami spoke timidly "I'm Ami Sato. It's my first year."
"It'll get easier." Paine gave her a small smile and Ami nodded in return, hoping she was right.
O O O
At the end of the feast, the Headmistress stood up and clapped once to signal for the Moombas to clear the tables.
"Have a Goodnight everyone and please get some rest for classes start tomorrow bright and early!" Edea announced smiling to everyone "Also, if I could please see Rinoa Heartilly, Selphie Tilmitt, and Ami Sato in my office immediately. Thank you everyone!"
O O O
The three girls took the stairs to the fourth floor silently. Too terrified to think that there was a mistake and they weren't supposed to be here for school they looked at each other with worried expressions on their young faces. Standing in front of a set of golden double doors with the Headmistress' name engraved at the top, they waited patiently.
The doors swung open without warning to reveal Aerith on the other side. Her kind smile greeted the three as she motioned for them enter.
"Good evening children." Edea waved her hand towards the three chairs in front of her desk from where she sat. "Please, have a seat."
Aerith, Quistis, Tifa, and Paine, stood next to the Headmistress silently, watching the three young girls. It reminded them of their first year at Celestial and the anticipation.
"I shall tell you three a story." Edea started, making sure to get their attention. "At the beginning of time, Hyne created Earth and gave life. Mortals and Immortals all over the world, and to help control the balance, she created four Sovereigns, Genbu, Seiryuu, Suzaku, and Byakko. Now, all was well for the four, until a group of evil Sorcerers and Sorceress' decided that they wanted all the power to themselves. They discovered a prophecy stating that a child of Hyne would be born with pure magic."
Rinoa's eyes widen at the realization, a pang of sadness shot through her heart as she thought of the parents she never got to meet because of Ultimecia. She felt Selphie's hand grab hers.
"So the four Sovereigns decided that when the time was right, they would choose twelve individuals with special gifts to help them guard the child of Hyne. The prophecy states that these individuals would be chosen at birth with a small mark to symbolize one of the twelve lunar stars."
Selphie gasped, lowering the sock on her right leg to reveal a tiny symbol of a rat on her ankle.
"There's the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig" Edea smiled encouragingly at the three.
Aerith turned around and lifted her ponytail to reveal a small ox symbol on her neck while Quistis lifter her left arm to reveal the dog symbol on her inner wrist. Tifa, who stood on Edea other side, rolled up the sleeve on right arm to show them a rabbit symbol on her shoulder while Paine tugged the shirt collar on her left side to reveal a sheep symbol right below her neck.
Carefully, Rinoa lifted the right side of her shirt and ran a fingertip over the small Lotus symbol on her ribcage. She turned to Ami, who had pushed the sleeve on her right arm up to show the monkey symbol on her forearm.
"But I…" Rinoa stuttered, unable to shake the feeling buried in the pit of her stomach.
"They say that the lotus is a symbol of purity." Edea smiled at Rinoa, her eyes twinkling bright "we've been waiting for you.
Rinoa sat in her seat, too stunned for words at the revelation that she would hold such responsibilities and began crying. Crying for the loss of her parents, crying at the thought of it being her fault. Edea stood up from her seat and knelt by the girl, enveloping her in a hug.
"There, there child. It's not your fault" Edea's calm voice soothed the child's cries "we're all here for you."
"Wait! There are still six of us missing." Selphie jumped up, looking around the room for more people.
"Yes child" Edea nodded "but we shall have to wait until they are of age to attend the Academy. For now, I hope you will all watch out for each other and help protect Rinoa."
The four older girls nodded to Edea and Aerith stepped forward.
"We will make sure to help them Headmistress"
"Thank you Aerith." Edea stood up, giving each girl a hug "Now, I think it is time we all return to our rooms and rest, and this was a lot for you girls take in. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow, goodnight children."
September 1st, 1998: Balamb Garden, Balamb
"Get ready to lose Puberty-Boy" Seifer smirked, holder his gunblade Hyperion
"Whatever." Squall frowned while gripping his own gunblade, Revolver.
It was still dark outside in the early morning, with a cold breeze in the air. The waves crashed against the rocks below them. The two cadets charged at each other with their gunblades raised, clashing in an instant. They swung at each again with Squall diving down only for Seifer to dodge his attack.
"Come and get me" Seifer taunted as Squall growled, with his steel blue eyes flashing red.
Swing after swing, their blades clashed several times until Squall charged forward and Seifer took the opportunity to raise his arm and blast him with fire spell. The force of the Firaga sent him flying backwards, knocking him to the ground. Attempting to shake off the attack he got up but only in time to notice his opponent's blade coming down on him.
Blood splattered to the ground and dripped down his face suddenly feeling the sting of the open wound from his right brow to his left cheek. He dragged his gunblade up from the ground and slashed forward, giving Seifer a wound to mirror his own.
As blood continued to pour from their facial wounds Irvine and Cloud stepped down, worrying that they might take it too far.
"Alright guys, lets call it a draw" Irvine suggested, holding his hands up as he stood in between the two. Cloud trailed behind to back him up. "Let's get to the infirmary and see Dr. Kadowaki before one of you pass out."
O O O
Squall huffed loudly, sitting on the infirmary waiting for Dr. Kadowaki to finish bandaging up his wound. The older lady frowned at him, shaking her head and glancing at Seifer who sat in the bed next to his with a similar bandage on his face.
"There. Now why don't you boys take it easy when training" the doctor suggested, raising her eyebrow at the two "keep this up and who knows if either of you will be alive to take the SeeD exam when its time"
"Yeah, Yeah, can we go now?" Seifer grunted at the Elf Doctor who rolled her eyes at him.
"You boys take it easy now, and get to class." Squall nodded, heading out of the infirmary with Seifer behind him.
"C'mon buddy, chicks dig scars" Seifer put his arm around Squalls shoulder and grinned, only for the frowning Vampire to shake it off instantly "Don't be such a grump"
"Whatever." Squall mumbled, vowing never to let his friend convince him to be his sparring partner.
September 1st, 1998: Celestial Academy of Elemental Sorcery, The Island Closest to Heaven
A tall, pale Vampire stood at the front of the classroom watching the students file in with bright red eyes. His long, raven black hair held a red bandanna and a red cloak covered his body. Rinoa, Selphie, and Ami sat at the back of the classroom with their notebooks out.
"Good morning, and welcome to Potions 101. I am your instructor, Professor Vincent Valentine." He had a deep voice with a cold tone, which intimidated his students. "I suggest everyone attend classes on time and pay attention as I do tolerate tardiness and disobedience."
Vincent looked around the room and raised a brow in the direction of the far back corner. Selphie gulped, shrinking back into her seat.
O O O
"Welcome to Herbology!" A tall, young fair-skinned Forest Nymph with a light Scottish accent exclaimed, "I am your Professor, Tira Noel. In this class, we will be learning about different plants and their properties, which should help you when making potions."
Her coppery-ginger curled hair hung in a loose braid down to her left side giving her students a clear view of her waifish features and pointed ears. Her bright emerald green eyes shone in the light as she gazed around the room. Dressed in a lose green embroidered sleeveless top that hung on her right shoulder and light brown trousers, her leather gladiator heels clicked against the floor as she walked up and down the isles of her classroom.
The students sat on the outer sides of the long tables filled with a variation of plants. Rinoa sat in between Selphie and Ami, inspecting the plants in front of them while listening to the Professor give her lesson.
"This is my favourite class" Selphie whispered to the two
"That's cause you're a Tree Nymph" Ami replied, rolling her eyes while Rinoa giggled.
Professor Noel turned around to walk back and winked at Selphie.
O O O
After lunch, the students crowded around the field in a semi-circle listening to their Professor's instructions. The heavy set, muscular, dark-skinned Giant stood in the center explaining the rules, waving his steel hand occasionally. He wore a brown vest with army green pants and steel toes boots. A Large red lion sat quietly next to Barret, watching the students carefully.
"I'm Professor Barret Wallace, your Magical Creatures instructor" His gruff voice bellowed "and I've got one rule. Do. Not. Touch. UNLESS I say so, got it?"
The students nodded their heads vigorously, too scared to say a word.
O O O
"Bonjour madames et monsieurs! I am your Divination Professor, Celine Laveau." The ethereal Elf curtsied at the front with her long blonde curls bouncing with every movement. She wore a sand silk draped top with a V-neck and cream coloured wide legged trousers with a pair of brown leather sandals. "Aujourd'hui we will be discussing the theoretical portion of class"
She walked around the classroom, handing out a set of course outline packages to each table she passed by. "Now, lets turn to chapter one and take notes" Fixing her lavender silk headband scarf she grabbed her textbook and began class.
September 2nd, 1998: Celestial Academy of Elemental Sorcery, The Island Closest to Heaven
As classes begun for the second day of the year, the seats in the classroom filled up quickly. At the front, stood a tall tanned Elf with purple eyes and light blue hair donning ornate robes. When classes finally settled in, he stepped forward.
"Good morning class, and welcome to your Magic Skills class. I will be your Professor this year, Seymour Guado." His strong voice echoed throughout the class "Here is where you will focus on perfecting your element as well as learning other elemental magic spells."
O O O
The doors to the lab opened and everyone filed in to take at a station in groups of 4. Rinoa, Selphie and Ami were joined by a young wind sprite named Wimbly Donner with brown orbs and messy blonde hair.
"Greetings everyone! This is Alchemy 101 and I am your Professor, Kiya Nefertiry." The tall, tanned Harpy instructor with long auburn hair and bright red eyes, stood at the center of the class with her hands behind her back. She wore a champagne wrap cami with a lace inset and a blood red skirt. As she strode to the front of the classroom, her nude pumps clicked against the tiled floor and she smiled to her students while handing out a slip of paper to each that she passed.
"We will begin with the basics. Ms. Sato, if you could please read the first paragraph."
O O O
"Good afternoon children, my name is Shera Highwind and I will be your History Professor" A slender Elf with hazel eyes and auburn hair stood at the front and straightened her glasses "We will be learning the history of magic and focusing on the Sorceress Wars this year"
Dressed in a dark yellow dress and knee high boots under a lab coat, she grabbed a textbook and flipped the pages.
"Now, if everyone could please turn to page ten."
O O O
"Welcome to Combat Training, I am Professor Mei Taki." The petite Dragon Demon on the field stood still with her hands behind her back, dressed in a black wife beater and leggings with small black slippers on her feet. She had a large dragon tattoo on the upper left side of her back. "In this class, we will build our strength and combat skills so that you may eventually find a weapon that suits your skills"
The whole class had changed into their training uniform, which consisted of a white t-shirt and blank shorts with white socks and running shoes.
"Now, lets start with ten minutes of stretching and then five laps around the track before we start combat lessons." Mei smirked, tying her hair in a high ponytail with her claw-like hands.
The class groaned.