Author's Comment:
Not too much to comment on here. One thing you'll notice is that I created a character named Ashley. Don't ask me why, I don't know yet. I'm sure I'll find some use for her in the future. The biggest question to ask is if she's a friend or foe? Alas, I don't know that either.
Friday, June 1, 2007
All eyes were on Squall as he entered his classroom. He tried not to notice the incredulous stares at his bandage, or the incessant giggles from the back of the room. The door slid shut automatically behind him, as he walked to his terminal and sat down. Seifer appeared to be enjoying the spectacle even less. He sat staring angrily at his monitor, grunting and murmuring God only knew what obscenities under his breath. News travels fast in Balamb Garden. Seifer and Squall seemed to be the subject of gossip this morning, surpassing yesterdays topic of the dreaded yet revered field exam. Quistis walked in, and the fervent whispers quieted considerably.
"Good morning, class," she said in her orderly way, as she sat down at her desk.
"Good morning, Instructor Trepe," parroted the younger half of the students in perfect unison.
"Let's start with today's schedule," she began, pushing a button and lighting up the wall -- a large screen -- behind her. It showed a review of the written exam, as well as a list of students who had passed. "There seems to have been some rumors flying around since yesterday. Yes, it's true that the field exam for SeeD candidates will begin later this afternoon." All talk of Squall and Seifer was now forgotten, and the class' attention was now (at least momentarily) regained. "Those not participating, and those who failed last week's written test are to remain here in the study hall. The rest of you are to meet in the front hall at 1600 hours. I'll announce the team assignments there. Any questions?"
A younger girl in the front row raised her hand. Squall recognized her as Ashley. If anyone were more deserving of the title of 'brown-nose of the year,' Squall had yet to meet this prodigy. As honorary teacher's pet, she might have been the primary candidate for the Quistis' Fan-Club, were this secret society not predominantly male. "What do we do 'till then?"
"Field exam participants will have free time until the exam." She paused to allow other students to ask questions. Once everyone was silent, she continued. "Oh, and just as a reminder to all students: It is forbidden to injure your partner while training. I'm not going to get into any details, and I'm certainly not pointing fingers, but please take care to show more caution." The class broke into whisper again, and Seifer slammed his fist down, shutting them up. Quistis eyed him accusingly, and his attention went angrily back to his monitor. "That will be all. Field exam participants, I will see you all later." Everyone got up to leave, when Quistis added something else. "Squall, could I talk to you, a moment?" Squall said nothing, but waited silently as everyone left. He felt strangely conflicted, wanting nothing more than to either collapse from exhaustion and sleep indefinitely, or to go down to the training center and kill everything in sight. Once everyone was gone, Quistis continued, "you haven't been to the Fire Cavern yet, have you? You won't be able to take part in today's exam, until you pass this prerequisite." She took an authoritative tone that suggested Squall's harshness had caused her to back off, at least for the time being. This was not unwelcome to him.
The Fire Cavern? Oh, right! The final test. There's supposed to be a Guardian Force at the end... I was gonna go this morning, but Seifer...
"Well," she went on, ascendancy filling her voice (she's good at that when she needs to be), "do you have a good excuse?"
"Not really," Squall said hesitantly.
"Alright," she said firmly. "Then, let's get going. I'll be waiting at the front gate, so come down when you're ready." She stood up, and began to walk away, absently brushing a paper off her desk. Squall picked it up, turning to hand it to her, but she'd already left. He noticed that she seemed to be acting stranger than usual. As if something were on her mind. Something more than just Squall brushing her off this morning. He left the classroom, reading the paper.