Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII or any other Squaresoft/Square
Enix games/movies/whatever.
To Keep A Secret
By Auria Almasy
Quistis Trepe sighed, her hand holding her chin, staring out the window. She sat in her dormitory, just looking out at the snowy trees of the Trabia. Two weeks after Time Compression, and life was truely bliss.
Cid had given each of the "heroes", as the world had come to call them, a few weeks vacation. Somewhat of a reward for saving the world.
Still, most of them managed to fill their time with something.
Selphie and Irvine were working on plans for a new Trabia to be built, using the Garden Festival Commitee members to raise the money. Selphie had her whole heart into it, Quistis could tell just by the look in her eyes when she talked about it.
Squall and Rinoa were busy with the media. The two most famous seventeen year olds had been married, and Rinoa had just begun her pregnancy.
Zell was off visiting Ma Dincht, or more accurately, introducing to her his new girlfriend. Zell's trips to the library obviously weren't only for a good book to read, Quistis mused.
And Quistis, well, she was sitting by the window.
She couldn't say she didn't enjoy it. Quiet peacefulness wasn't something she was used to, especially during the last month or so, and it was actually quite nice to be able to do nothing but stare out a window for an hour.
After coming through so much, it was the small things she appreciated and savored. Like having a warm cup of coffee from the cafeteria, or hearing the familiar sound of the intercom "ding", sounding another announcement for students and SeeD at Balamb Garden.
She sat up, startled, when her dorm door swung open. She smiled, seeing Rinoa walked in.
"Hey Quistis..." Rinoa said.
"Hello Rinoa." Quistis said, motioning for Rinoa to take a seat on the bed, practically the only thing to sit on besides the floor and the small stool Quistis herself occupied.
Rinoa shook her head. "I've come to tell you Cid wants you in his office, a kinda spur of the moment meeting."
Quistis' eyebrows came together in confusion. What could Cid want her for? She was on vacation. She nodded.
"Okay, let me get my purse and I'll be right up." she said, standing up.
"Actually, you can walk with me. Me, Squall, Selphie, and Irvine are attending also." Rinoa said.
"Okay, sure." Quistis said, grabbing her purse off the small nightstand and throwing it over her shoulder.
The two women walked from Quistis' dorm to the eleveator in silence.
As the doors slid open, Quistis watched Rinoa step inside, then stepped in herself and pressed the "Third Floor" button.
"What could be so important that he would summon all of us on our vacation?" Quistis asked. Rinoa shrugged.
The elevator chimed, and they walked from the exit to the small lift, then into Cid's office.
Rinoa took her place beside Squall, and Quistis remained feet from the doorway. She crossed her arms.
"So whats the big occasion Headmaster Cid?" Selphie asked, Irvine's arm draped over her shoulders.
"Well, I would have liked to have Zell here also, but as you know, he's visiting family in Balamb. So, on to the reason you're all here..." Cid said. "...I need you to sacrifice the remaining two weeks of your vacation, Quistis."
Quistis' eyes widened. "But why?"
Cid folded his hands on his desk. Edea stood behind him, her hand placed on his shoulder. "Galbadia and Esthar are at it again, and it's not looking any better. With President Deling dead," Edea's gaze moved to the ground. Cid continued, " General Caraway has taken over presidential duties of Deling. With Squall and Rinoa's wedding, everyone was looking forward to a cessation in fighting between Esthar and Galbadia, however, nothing has changed."
Squall butt in. "So what are we needed for? This doesn't concern Balamb Garden, this is between Galbadia and Esthar."
"I'll get to that in a moment." Cid said. "This time, the country's fight involves Dollet. The land surrounding the town is rich with oil. President Laguna is willing to buy it from the town, but Caraway has learned of President Laguna's offer. As we know, former President Deling was working on gaining control over Dollet, as well as Timber."
Rinoa nodded. "At the time I hired SeeD to help in the president's kidnapping, he was working with the mayor of Dollet, Mayor Huburd, on negotiations concerning Dollet. The town was too unlawful for safe living conditions. Dollet has no real law inforcement, just a small department of untrained men trying to keep the biggest criminals in Dollet under control."
Cid nodded. "So President Deling offered to station Galbadian troops around and in the town, in return for full control and authority over it. That meant, if Galbadia went into war, Dollet was on it's side no matter what the situation. Mayor Huburd hesitated, and when the fight against Ultimecia came into action, negotiations were put on hold.
"Even though President Deling is dead, Caraway plans to continue negotiations. That means Esthar and Galbadia are negotiating for the same land, putting them against eachother. This could mean a future war. Both countries will not back down, this we can clearly assume taking into consideration past wars between them.
"To get more to the point, President Laguna has made request for SeeD. He's willing to pay a hefty amount of gil for us to try and bend the situation in his favor." Cid leaned back in his chair leisurely. Edea picked a briefcase up off the floor behind Cid's desk and placed it on his desk.
"This is what we've come up with. We're going to sabotage any chance Galbadia has in gaining control of Dollet. No offense to you Rinoa, we know General Caraway is your father, but President Laguna is paying us gil we need dearly. The repairs Fisherman's Horizon made on Garden weren't free, they did them knowing Garden would pay them back."
Rinoa put her hand up to silence Edea. "No offense taken, I'm just as much against my father as any of you are. Count me in this."
Edea smiled. "Thank you for your understanding.". She turned to Quistis. "You're the one we need to carry out the mission."
"But why would you choose me?" Quistis asked.
"We need one of you to go undercover. Selphie and Irvine are leading a fundraiser, their disappearance would be strange. Squall and Rinoa are in media spotlight with their wedding and the new baby coming, and if one of them were to suddenly disappear people would get suspicious. You and Zell are left.
"One, we wouldn't want to interrupt Zell's vacation with his family. Two, it's harder for men to go undercover than women, a woman is easier to mask with make-up and hair styles. And three, you are the only one really unnoccupied at the moment, Quistis.
"Me and Cid were hoping you would undertake this task. You will be paid one fifth of everything Balamb Garden makes." Edea finished with a questioning look.
Quistis sighed. That quiet peacefulness sure didn't last long. She glanced around the room. Selphie looked at her, a worried expression on her face. Irvine looked at the ground, deep in thought. Rinoa glanced from Edea to herself, and Squall looked back at her also.
Her gaze moved to Edea's hopeful eyes. If not for the money, she had to do it for Edea and Cid. They'd raised her like parents, it was the least she could do for them.
"Yes, I'll do it." she said, trying to maintain a voice of confidence. Edea's hopeful expression changed to a relieved smile.
"Quisty, are you sure you want to do this? It's dangerous..." Selphie said.
Quistis smiled back at Selphie. "I appreciate your concern, but I'm a big girl now Selphie." she said. Everyone chuckled a little bit. She approached the desk, next to Edea.
"You are to leave for Galbadia in two days. Tonight, I want you to look over everything in this briefcase. Details on the mission, and cosmetics for your new identity are inclosed. There is also a new drivers license and social security card for your new identity. The gil is for a new wardrobe and any other expenses. Any questions will be answered in the mission details." Edea said.
Quistis nodded, taking the briefcase. "I'll do my best."
"Then that marks the end of this meeting." Cid said.
Everyone started to head for the door. "And remember, none of what you have heard leaves this office." Edea said. Everyone mumbled agreement.
Quistis sighed, heading for her dorm, briefcase in hand. What did she get herself into now?
REVIEW IT!!!!! FLAME IT!!!!!! JUST SAY SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!!!! *psst* The buttons down there....
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To Keep A Secret
By Auria Almasy
Quistis Trepe sighed, her hand holding her chin, staring out the window. She sat in her dormitory, just looking out at the snowy trees of the Trabia. Two weeks after Time Compression, and life was truely bliss.
Cid had given each of the "heroes", as the world had come to call them, a few weeks vacation. Somewhat of a reward for saving the world.
Still, most of them managed to fill their time with something.
Selphie and Irvine were working on plans for a new Trabia to be built, using the Garden Festival Commitee members to raise the money. Selphie had her whole heart into it, Quistis could tell just by the look in her eyes when she talked about it.
Squall and Rinoa were busy with the media. The two most famous seventeen year olds had been married, and Rinoa had just begun her pregnancy.
Zell was off visiting Ma Dincht, or more accurately, introducing to her his new girlfriend. Zell's trips to the library obviously weren't only for a good book to read, Quistis mused.
And Quistis, well, she was sitting by the window.
She couldn't say she didn't enjoy it. Quiet peacefulness wasn't something she was used to, especially during the last month or so, and it was actually quite nice to be able to do nothing but stare out a window for an hour.
After coming through so much, it was the small things she appreciated and savored. Like having a warm cup of coffee from the cafeteria, or hearing the familiar sound of the intercom "ding", sounding another announcement for students and SeeD at Balamb Garden.
She sat up, startled, when her dorm door swung open. She smiled, seeing Rinoa walked in.
"Hey Quistis..." Rinoa said.
"Hello Rinoa." Quistis said, motioning for Rinoa to take a seat on the bed, practically the only thing to sit on besides the floor and the small stool Quistis herself occupied.
Rinoa shook her head. "I've come to tell you Cid wants you in his office, a kinda spur of the moment meeting."
Quistis' eyebrows came together in confusion. What could Cid want her for? She was on vacation. She nodded.
"Okay, let me get my purse and I'll be right up." she said, standing up.
"Actually, you can walk with me. Me, Squall, Selphie, and Irvine are attending also." Rinoa said.
"Okay, sure." Quistis said, grabbing her purse off the small nightstand and throwing it over her shoulder.
The two women walked from Quistis' dorm to the eleveator in silence.
As the doors slid open, Quistis watched Rinoa step inside, then stepped in herself and pressed the "Third Floor" button.
"What could be so important that he would summon all of us on our vacation?" Quistis asked. Rinoa shrugged.
The elevator chimed, and they walked from the exit to the small lift, then into Cid's office.
Rinoa took her place beside Squall, and Quistis remained feet from the doorway. She crossed her arms.
"So whats the big occasion Headmaster Cid?" Selphie asked, Irvine's arm draped over her shoulders.
"Well, I would have liked to have Zell here also, but as you know, he's visiting family in Balamb. So, on to the reason you're all here..." Cid said. "...I need you to sacrifice the remaining two weeks of your vacation, Quistis."
Quistis' eyes widened. "But why?"
Cid folded his hands on his desk. Edea stood behind him, her hand placed on his shoulder. "Galbadia and Esthar are at it again, and it's not looking any better. With President Deling dead," Edea's gaze moved to the ground. Cid continued, " General Caraway has taken over presidential duties of Deling. With Squall and Rinoa's wedding, everyone was looking forward to a cessation in fighting between Esthar and Galbadia, however, nothing has changed."
Squall butt in. "So what are we needed for? This doesn't concern Balamb Garden, this is between Galbadia and Esthar."
"I'll get to that in a moment." Cid said. "This time, the country's fight involves Dollet. The land surrounding the town is rich with oil. President Laguna is willing to buy it from the town, but Caraway has learned of President Laguna's offer. As we know, former President Deling was working on gaining control over Dollet, as well as Timber."
Rinoa nodded. "At the time I hired SeeD to help in the president's kidnapping, he was working with the mayor of Dollet, Mayor Huburd, on negotiations concerning Dollet. The town was too unlawful for safe living conditions. Dollet has no real law inforcement, just a small department of untrained men trying to keep the biggest criminals in Dollet under control."
Cid nodded. "So President Deling offered to station Galbadian troops around and in the town, in return for full control and authority over it. That meant, if Galbadia went into war, Dollet was on it's side no matter what the situation. Mayor Huburd hesitated, and when the fight against Ultimecia came into action, negotiations were put on hold.
"Even though President Deling is dead, Caraway plans to continue negotiations. That means Esthar and Galbadia are negotiating for the same land, putting them against eachother. This could mean a future war. Both countries will not back down, this we can clearly assume taking into consideration past wars between them.
"To get more to the point, President Laguna has made request for SeeD. He's willing to pay a hefty amount of gil for us to try and bend the situation in his favor." Cid leaned back in his chair leisurely. Edea picked a briefcase up off the floor behind Cid's desk and placed it on his desk.
"This is what we've come up with. We're going to sabotage any chance Galbadia has in gaining control of Dollet. No offense to you Rinoa, we know General Caraway is your father, but President Laguna is paying us gil we need dearly. The repairs Fisherman's Horizon made on Garden weren't free, they did them knowing Garden would pay them back."
Rinoa put her hand up to silence Edea. "No offense taken, I'm just as much against my father as any of you are. Count me in this."
Edea smiled. "Thank you for your understanding.". She turned to Quistis. "You're the one we need to carry out the mission."
"But why would you choose me?" Quistis asked.
"We need one of you to go undercover. Selphie and Irvine are leading a fundraiser, their disappearance would be strange. Squall and Rinoa are in media spotlight with their wedding and the new baby coming, and if one of them were to suddenly disappear people would get suspicious. You and Zell are left.
"One, we wouldn't want to interrupt Zell's vacation with his family. Two, it's harder for men to go undercover than women, a woman is easier to mask with make-up and hair styles. And three, you are the only one really unnoccupied at the moment, Quistis.
"Me and Cid were hoping you would undertake this task. You will be paid one fifth of everything Balamb Garden makes." Edea finished with a questioning look.
Quistis sighed. That quiet peacefulness sure didn't last long. She glanced around the room. Selphie looked at her, a worried expression on her face. Irvine looked at the ground, deep in thought. Rinoa glanced from Edea to herself, and Squall looked back at her also.
Her gaze moved to Edea's hopeful eyes. If not for the money, she had to do it for Edea and Cid. They'd raised her like parents, it was the least she could do for them.
"Yes, I'll do it." she said, trying to maintain a voice of confidence. Edea's hopeful expression changed to a relieved smile.
"Quisty, are you sure you want to do this? It's dangerous..." Selphie said.
Quistis smiled back at Selphie. "I appreciate your concern, but I'm a big girl now Selphie." she said. Everyone chuckled a little bit. She approached the desk, next to Edea.
"You are to leave for Galbadia in two days. Tonight, I want you to look over everything in this briefcase. Details on the mission, and cosmetics for your new identity are inclosed. There is also a new drivers license and social security card for your new identity. The gil is for a new wardrobe and any other expenses. Any questions will be answered in the mission details." Edea said.
Quistis nodded, taking the briefcase. "I'll do my best."
"Then that marks the end of this meeting." Cid said.
Everyone started to head for the door. "And remember, none of what you have heard leaves this office." Edea said. Everyone mumbled agreement.
Quistis sighed, heading for her dorm, briefcase in hand. What did she get herself into now?
REVIEW IT!!!!! FLAME IT!!!!!! JUST SAY SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!!!! *psst* The buttons down there....
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