Author's Notes: Part I: Pulse Points. Part II: Shiver (this story).
Chapter 1: Longing (Prologue)
In the days of the war, resources grew scarce.
Faculty and staff took turns going on furlough. Some quit their positions and never returned.
Balamb Garden's moat had to be completely drained, though there was just enough water to keep the smaller fountains operating during the daytime.
The cafeteria hot dogs, which were already difficult to get one's hands on, practically became extinct: a wistful symbol of a past era…
A past era marked by affluence and acclaim. One in which people around the world had looked up to the prominent name and renown of SeeD.
But as the war raged on, and the money ran out, and humanity lost their trust in SeeD, the Headmaster and the Commander agreed to sell the school's assets one by one—just so that they could stay afloat.
As students were mourning the loss of their comrades following the Battle of the Gardens, a business transaction was occurring at the front gate.
All the horses from the quad were shepherded into a dark trailer with box stalls.
In the comfortless quiet, the animals accepted their permanent move with downcast eyes.
…But one proud horse nickered in vehement refusal.
At that precise moment, Quistis Trepe happened to be returning from an outside errand.
The horse recognized Quistis.
Quistis recognized the horse.
Honey escaped the clutches of her unfriendly handlers and galloped over to the hopeful safety of a familiar human face.
Though Quistis had not actually seen Honey since that fateful day she had spoken with Seifer at the stables, the weeks between then and now felt remarkably condensed, as if the event had taken place just yesterday.
Quistis instinctively reached out to embrace Honey in a protective gesture. Honey was tense with defiance even as her eyes glistened in fear—and in those eyes, she saw the soul of Seifer, who had been taken away at the TV Station.
The horse and the woman did not know that they had something in common, and it was this:
Both missed Seifer.
Honey could not speak words to humans while Quistis could not share her true state of mind with anyone. Despite having few good memories of Seifer, both the horse and the woman felt a deep ache in his absence. Without the fire of his passion and his dreams, their hearts had turned ice-blue beneath the surface. What a terrible fortune it was, to be alone in their thoughts, to have to hold onto their fragile selves!
The Headmaster and the Commander graciously allowed Quistis to keep Honey at Garden.
And so the softhearted woman looked after her kindred spirit from that point on, even when the strong-willed horse was not always the easiest to please…
For being around the horse soothed the pain of longing that the woman felt for the man.