The Princess of Light
IV: Great Expectations
Ask no questions, and you'll be told no lies.
- Charles Dickens
August 25th, 2003: The Highwind, Fisherman's Horizon, Japan
"So Instructor Trepe…"
"That's T.A. Trepe" Quistis narrowed her eyes at the Tree Nymph, "I'll be assisting Instructor Highwind in History class for another year before I can start teaching on my own."
"Okay, same thing?" Selphie rolled her eyes and Quistis shook her head at her. "Anyways, did they tell you anything about the SeeDs? Perhaps… what they look like?"
"No" she replied flatly
"Aw, c'mon Quisty, they must have said something"
"No." Selphie huffed loudly, glaring at Ami who giggled from behind the novel she was reading.
Rinoa sat near the window quietly, leaning her forehead against the cool glass with her knees tucked into her chest and her arms wrapped around legs securely. She kept her eyes closed, listening to Quistis and Selphie chat across from her. 'SeeDs' she thought, cringing inwardly. Selphie had attempted to get her to explain what happened that night in Balamb Garden but Rinoa stayed silent, refusing to open up. She sighed.
"Rin, are you alright, hon?" Quistis asked, tilting her head to peer at the quiet girl. Rinoa nodded, snuggling closer into her corner in an attempt to fall asleep.
Quistis turned her head towards Selphie, watching her shake her head and shrug.
August 25th, 2003: Balamb Garden, Balamb
ZACK FAIR, SEIFER ALMASY, ZELL DINCHT, IRVINE KINNEAS, SQUALL LEONHART, AND CLOUD STRIFE, PLEASE REPORT TO THE BRIDGE IMMEDIATELY.
Squall sat up from his bed and frowned. He sighed, changing into his uniform, he left his room and made his way towards the bridge. Running into Zell along the way, the hyper active Shape Shifter jogged to catch up with him.
"SQUALL! Wait up bro!" Zell threw an arm around Squall's shoulder as the frowning Vampire placed a hand over his face and sighed. "What do ya think Cid wants with us?"
"…" He stood next to Zell with anticipation and a foreboding sense of dread.
The doors to the lift opened, revealing a smiling Cid standing next to Zack, Cloud, Seifer and Irvine. The last two to join, they saluted their Headmaster and stood with the rest of the group.
"Good morning!" Cid greeted everyone. "Now that everyone is here, I'd like to discuss upcoming SeeD field exams for Mr. Dincht and Mr. Kinneas."
"Sweet!" Zell pumped his fist in the air "I'm ready for this!"
Cid gave Zell an apprehensive look and sighed, continuing "Right, well I'll be sending you boys with Instructor Zack to Celestial Academy for your mission. Also, Squall, Seifer, and Cloud will accompany you both as back up."
"Alright boys," Zack started, "our job is to assist in defending the school against a possible attack from Ultimecia's followers"
"What the hell would they want with a school full of half breeds?" Seifer commented, scoffing at Zack
"Beautiful, female half breeds." Irvine waggled his eyebrows
Zack smirked "Well, you see… there's this rumour going around that they're hiding someone powerful there, a Princess, and Ultimecia wants her.
"Pft, that old bag's gonna crawl out from under her rock and kidnap some kid?" Cloud drawled out, raising an eyebrow at the instructor. "Sounds like she's getting desperate."
Seifer snickered, "that old crow doesn't stand a chance."
"Yeah! That Bit-"
Clearing his throat loudly, and cutting Zell off, Cid held out large envelopes for each of them to take. "You will all depart on the 31st at 0400 hours. Nida will take you on the Ragnarok. Also, rooming and food accommodations will be for provided by the Academy so pack only what you need, weapons, equipment, spells, and your GFs."
"Wait, do they serve hotdogs there?" Zell asked, looking worried
"Ahem… I think that should be the least of your worries son" Cid groaned inwardly, guiding them out of his office "moving forward, this mission may last for the full school year so good luck boys"
"A full school year with the possibility of no hot dogs?!" Zell cried out. Squall slapped a hand over his face. "I'm not gonna make it!"
"Ah, shut up chicken wuss!" Seifer snapped, grabbing the young shape shifter by the collar of his shirt and dragged him out of the office "besides, didn't you say your cousin Tidus goes there? Ask him."
"Let go of me Almasy!" Seifer rolled his eyes
"Suck it up buttercup and start packing, you know how Captain Puberty over there gets when he has to wait for one of us" Seifer motioned with his thumb towards Squall who glared in response.
"Whatever."
August 25th, 2003: The Highwind, Fisherman's Horizon, Japan
"Oh my Hyne!" Selphie squealed in delight, dragging Rinoa and Ami along as she flung open the door to their new dorm for the year. "Quistis was right when she said we'd get an upgrade."
Now that they were older, instead of sharing just one room, they had a small lounge area with three small, but separate rooms connected. It was like a small condo and it gave them more privacy.
"We get our own rooms!" Ami glanced around in awe of her surroundings.
"I get this one!" Selphie shouted, sprinting into the first bedroom, while Rinoa rolled her eyes and took the one next to hers. "G'night!"
"Goodnight guys!"
"Night Rinny." Ami smiled and shrugged, taking the one across from them, next to the bathroom. "Night Selphie"
August 31st, 2003: Balamb Garden, Balamb
The sky was still dark outside over Balamb Garden. Cadets and staff were still fast asleep in the early hours of the morning.
Except for a group of five young grumbling SeeDs and one oddly cheerful instructor, dressed in their regular clothes, standing outside on the loading docks in front of a red airship in the shape of a dragon, the Ragnarok. It was a gift to Garden from Squall's father, Laguna, as thanks for helping Esthar capture a group of terrorists. Trudging into the ship, they were greeted by a tall young Elf dressed in his uniform, with short ink black hair and dark brown eyes.
"Mornin' Nida!" Zack, wearing a black tee and loose dark jeans greeted the pilot.
"Good morning everyone" Nida replied, chuckling at the group of grumbling boys trailing behind Zack.
"I'm SOOOO TIRED!" Zell, dressed in a red and black vest over a tank with black shorts, cried out in despair, "WHY ME!"
"Ah, shaddap chicken wuss!" Seifer barked out, tossing his grey trench coat onto his seat, leaving him in blue vest and black trousers.
"Why I oughta-" Zell growled
"Alright boys! You can all sleep on the way." Zack, taking a seat next to Nida cut in quickly before an all out brawl started "Make sure you've got your weapons, potions, and GFs locked in. Seat belts on and get ready to move out!"
Irvine, with his signature black cowboy hat, straightened his khaki coloured trench coat over his purple shirt and brown trousers. Taking a seat next to Squall, who was dressed in a white fur collar lined leather jacket, over a white tee and black jeans, watched as he checked his new gunblade, the Lion Heart.
Cloud, the last one to put his bags away, took a seat at the back and stretched out. Dressed in a black robe and baggy jeans, he lay across the two seats ready to fall back asleep.
August 31st, 2003: Celestial Academy of Elemental Sorcery, The Island Closest to Heaven
Students gathered in the Main Hall to celebrate their start for the year, crowding in groups. The Royal Guards kept to one corner, with Quitis returning as a T.A. and Aerith becoming the Infirmary Doctor's assistant. Fujin, and Raijin also returned as Teacher's aids after graduation so that they would be able to stay close to the rest of the group while Xu replaced the Headmistress' old secretary who had decided to retire last year.
Quistis, standing in a pink vest top and matching skirt cringed at the group of students fawning over her that her friends effectively called 'Trepies'. An oddly large following of students, mostly male, would gawk at her and sign up for all the classes she was assisting in.
With Aqua, Yuna, Rikku, Kairi, Yuffie, and Garnet completing the group, all twelve guards were present. Rinoa, stayed silent, listening to them banter about the new students as she gazed around the room. It was filled with returning students, most gathering in their own groups while the first years mingled with each other. Suddenly, she shivered at the feeling of being watched and looked around.
Her eyes fell upon a pair of steel blue irises and gasped. The owner of them stared intently at Rinoa, causing her eyes to widen in shock as she bit her bottom lip. A cold shiver ran up her spine and she took a step back. She recognized that face anywhere and the sight of him made her blood run cold. The memory still fresh in her mind.
"Rinny!"
"Huh?" Rinoa shook her head, breaking her gaze away from the Vampire.
"Geez Rin, we've been calling your name for awhile"
"Sorry Selph" she replied, glancing back around to see that he was no long there.
Ami, dressed in a bright red off-the-shoulder top and denim shorts, placed an arm around Rinoa in an attempt to comfort her. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just exhausted. I don't know why" Rinoa responded
"It's okay" Selphie smiled, then grabbed her hand while the rest of the group trailed behind slowly "c'mon guys, they're starting the ceremonies soon!"
Aerith, wearing a long pink button-up dress under a small red jacket greeted everyone in passing with the Mori cousins walking next to her. Rikku, in a orange sleeveless top and army green shorts and Yuna, dressed in a white and yellow kimono and purple skirt waved at everyone.
Behind them, Kairi and Garnet walked together, arm in arm giggling and gossiping with each other. Kairi, wearing a white top with black bikers shorts underneath a purple skirt, held a camera in her free hand, flipping through photos of her summer vacations while Garnet, dressed in a white bell-sleeved top and orange jumpsuit peered at the photos and pointed out all the boys in them that she thought were cut.
O O O
"Dude, look at all the chicks here." Irvine gazed around the room in awe at the large array of students gathered in the Main Hall. With the rest of his SeeD mercenaries, he took a seat at a smaller table to the side reserved for them.
"I know" Seifer replied, with a wolfish smirk as Irvine winked at a group of female students.
"This year's gonna be fuckin' awesome!" Zell exclaimed, watching as the group of females giggled at them. He winked at them.
"Not if you fail your field exam because you were too busy ogling the female populous of Celestial." Cloud frowned at the two cadets.
"Whoa Irv, check out that chick with the pigtails!" Zell exclaimed, completely ignoring Cloud, who shook his head in shame.
"And that cute red head with the sweet lookin' brunette." Irvine encouraged, watching Squall's eyebrow twitch at the mention of a brunette girl. Getting an idea he leaned towards Zell, "we should hook Squall up with someone here."
Seifer snickered at that, adding in "He likes 'em short, and brunette".
"Whatever." Squall scowled at his fellow SeeDs and everyone that seemed to pass by.
"Well Cap'n, then today is your lucky day then," Irvine said, slinging an arm around Squall's shoulder and peering behind the glaring Vampire "hot brunette at five o'clock!"
"Whoa! Look at that figure!" Zell drooled, staring blatantly at Tifa's chest. The girl was dressed in a black sleeveless top and matching skirt.
"Her two friends ain't that bad on the eyes either" Seifer commented, glancing at Aqua and Paine.
Paine, wearing a black cropped top over a red tank and black skinny jeans, nudged Aqua, who stood in a sleeved denim button-up dress and Tifa who both turned around to see the group of boys looking at them.
"Oh shit! We've been caught." Zell ducked behind Squall, whom had his back turned to them, not caring enough to look their way.
He quickly peered over his shoulder to see what Zell was afraid of and in an instant, his frown morphed into a look of disgust and he glared at everyone at the table. He growled, and spoke through clenched teeth "That. Is. My. Cousin." He turned around again to send a nod at Tifa, who was waving cheerfully his way. Squall narrowed his eyes at his friends.
"No way, she's gorgeous… And you're well…" Zell sputtered, clearly not thinking
"Hideous?" offered Seifer snickering
"Crusty?" offered Irvine with a smirk
"Boring?" tried Cloud, attempting a straight face
"Whatever." Squall huffed out in annoyance, slapping a hand over his face.
O O O
Tifa and Aqua, breaking away from Paine, made their way towards their table as the ceremony for the beginning of year was starting.
"You know those pervs?" Aqua asked, narrowing her eyes at the SeeDs
"No, just Squall, the miserable one with his back turned. We're cousins." Tifa laughed "Probably the only decent one in that group. Though, I don't even know if he likes girls!"
Aqua giggled at that. "Ah, I didn't know your cousin was a SeeD"
"Well, we're distant cousins. My dad and his mom are cousins" Tifa explained "besides, once his mom passed away when he was younger, I didn't see much of him to be honest. My dad's side of the family didn't really like that he married my mom, a Mage."
"That's kinda harsh."
"Yea," Tifa shrugged "but his dad, Uncle Laguna has always been kind to us. Invites us over every year"
"As in King Laguna of Esthar? Maybe we should introduce the Prince over there to the Princess here" Aqua whispered to Tifa, who giggled.
Rinoa sat quietly at the table, staring at her plate absentmindedly as she poked the food around her plate with her fork. Attempting to ignore the fact that Squall sat only metres away from her. She was nervous, but hid it well, not wanting to make a scene. She decided at that moment that she would pretend that it never happened and that he was only here to do his job. She would not let on that it bothered her, despite her troubled feelings.
Sometimes, she would think back to that kiss and smile to herself. It felt amazing, and she couldn't deny that she thought he was extremely handsome. But she also could not forget what happened after. His sharp fangs, the way his eyes turned red, and the way he held her, almost possessively. It terrified her at the same time.
As the groups of students settled into their seats, Headmistress Edea, who stood at the front of the room cleared her throat and spoke, "alright children, settle down now, so that we may begin." Listening to the noises dwindle, she smiled towards Zack who quickly jogged over to his seat with Nida in tow.
"Welcome everyone, new and old to Celestial Academy!" Edea paused briefly as claps erupted from the students. "I'd like to personally welcome the team of SeeDs here that will be helping us throughout the year. With the recent attacks around the world, the Council and I felt that it would be best to increase security."
Zack waved with the rest of the SeeDs, excluding Squall to the mass of students who cheered loudly at them.
O O O
When the night's festivities finally came to an end, the students filed out first and headed towards their dormitories while the instructors and SeeDs took the opposite direction towards the other wing of the castle.
"Did you see that Werewolf in the cowboy hat?" Selpie gushed to the two girls next to her.
Ami giggled, "That Shape Shifter with the tattoo on his face was pretty cute"
"What do ya think Rin?" Selphie asked
"What?" Rinoa quirked an eyebrow at Selphie
"Aren't those SeeDs the best looking guys you've ever seen?" Selphie gushed with Ami nodded rapidly in agreement
"Oh! I… uh, well…" Rinoa stuttered, a blush creeping across her cheeks. "No thanks!"
Ami and Selphie burst out laughing at their friend's response, causing the girl to scowl at them. Selphie looped her arms through both her friend's arm and they walked down the hall giggling.
Saying their 'good nights' to the rest of their friends, they parted headed towards their rooms. Upon entering, Rinoa yawned, covering her mouth behind a hand and blushing sheepishly. She made a beeline for the bathroom, quickly washing the makeup off her face and changing into a pair of loose black shorts and tank top to sleep in.
Tonight was the first night she had a nightmare. She dreamt of a pale woman with silver hair, horns and dark markings imprinted on her face. Drenched in a light sheen of sweat as she tossed and turned in her bed, the window to her left slowly slid open and a shadowed figure crept in. A mop of brown hair, almost auburn shone in the moonlight as he watched her sleep. Mesmerized by the way her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, he crouched down to her level.
Suddenly, Rinoa gasped, gripping the sheets in her hands tighter as she cried out in pain. Not wanting her to wake up, the figure removed a leather glove from his hand and caressed her face, brushing her highlighted bangs to the side. Then he leaned over and placed a soft kiss to her forehead, watching as her body relaxed in an instant.
"I'm sorry." he whispered in her ear.
She shivered as the breeze cooled her skin, so he reached for her covers and dragged it up towards her shoulders. Taking a step back, he glanced her way one last time, and quickly jumped out the window.
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