Shot in the Dark

Quitis’ Pov
“Quitis?” A deep baritone voice repeats shortly.
“What? That’s instructor Trepe to you Seif—-” I can feel my face getting hot.
“You need to let up on the GF junctions. Or are you just getting senile?” He says, letting an arrogant smirk play across his features.
“Seifer Almasy! I’m not even eight-teen days older than you! You cannot call me senile.” He just keeps smirking. It’s my own fault, I didn’t argue with Squall when he assigned me to help Seifer get adjusted; I should have known better. After his short stay in FH Seifer, Fujin and Rajin reapplied for the SeeD test at Tibia Garden and passed. In a year Seifer had risen the ranks at Tibia and Squall the head of the three Gardens as well as Commander of Balamb Garden, decided to give Seifer a promotion. Hyne knows why, he’s horrible at following instructions.
“So tell me again Instructor Trepe.” He pauses for emphasis; I think I’m getting a headache. “Why are we in Esthar?”
“Well, as you know Commander Leonheart—”
“Drop the formality, what does Squall want?” I was a little surprised that he said Squall’s name. The two of them have been avoiding one another like the plague since we defeated Ultimecia. Squall never told mw what exactly happened between them, but by the way they both avoid the subject, I have an idea.
“Alright Seifer, you know that Squall promoted me to Balamb’s headmaster and the chief correspondent between the Gardens.”
“Yeah,” He says, folding his arms across his chest, still as impatient as ever. “And?”
“That’s why I’m here.” I fiddle with my glasses. If he’s going to be this impatient than I’m just going to make him wait longer.
“Get to the point!” He snaps, his light blue eyes flashing for a moment before he gets himself under control. He has reformed a bit. “What does he want with me?” He asks, shifting uncomfortably. He still hasn’t apologized, to Squall or Balamb. Maybe that’s why he went to Tibia instead of coming home.
“The fourth Garden has been under construction for the past two and a half years.”
“What? Fourth Garden?” He frowns, his scar wrinkling with his brow. “And he stationed me out in the middle of nowhere?” He looks hurt, focusing his eyes on the ground and kicking at the desert sand.
“Not exactly.” He looks up at me hopefully. “President Loire agreed with Squall at the end of the war, that Esthar could benefit from having its own Garden, and they began construction at once.” He looks at me sideways, trying to stay calm waiting for me to finish. “You will have to learn to work side by side with President Loire.” He blinks, putting it together.
“What?”
“Well, Esthar Garden will be the second largest of the four. Squall felt he needed someone he trusted to be Commander.” He runs his hand through his hair, leaning his head into the motion of his hand, and then looks back at me.
“SO are you Esthar’s Commander? What does that have to do with me?” He grumbles, slipping out of his grey trench coat, the heat must be getting the better of him.
“No, I told you that I am just the correspondent.”
“Oh well that explains everything.” He says sarcastically, folding his trench coat in slow motions to help quell his anger.
“Squall, as well as the rest of us have noticed your record in Tibia, it’s exemplary, and Xu said you were her best Soldier.”
“What, have you all been watching me?” He shouts, throwing his trench coat into the red-ish-orange dust. “You and Puberty boy don’t think I can manage without fucking things up? Is that it?” He spat.
“Seifer, we’re family. We just wanted to make sure that you we’re alright.”
“Family.” He repeats softly.
“Of course.”
“I thought you all hated me – after what I did.” He seems to be finding the ground very interesting again.
“It wasn’t your fault. You we’re under the Sorceress’ control, and we all understand that. We love you Seifer.” He nods but stays focused on the dirt.
“Although, you should still apologize to everyone.” He flinches but doesn’t say anything. “Esthar Garden has recently been completed, and will start up classes and military training as soon as Headmaster Cid and the Commander arrive.”
“Cid? But what about Matron?”
“They’re doing just fine, and the orphanage has been restored, but Cid insisted on being here to help out the new commander. He loves you too. And he is the founder of Garden, who are we to refuse him.”
“What? What the hell are you—me?” His light blue eyes widen. “I’m—” This is one of the few times I’ve ever seen Seifer speechless.
“Squall was impressed with you record. We all were. He thought that you would be the best Man for the job.”
“He said all that?” He asked, as faint blush covering his sharp features.
“Yes he did.”
“He really has changed.”
“Well you have been gone for two years.”
“Yeah,” He says with a sigh.
“So Commander, would you like to see your new Garden?” His mouth opens and closes again.
“What about Fuj and Raj?” He says, frowning again.
“Squall said that if you wanted, he would transfer both Fujin and Rajin to Esthar. You will need aides after all.”
“Yeah.” He says, a bright smile spreading across his face. “Puberty boy really thought of everything didn’t he?” He says with a chuckle.
“Who are you calling Puberty Boy?” Oh Hyne, Laguna heard him. I don’t need Seifer starting an incident on his first day.
“Oh, just Commander Squall-I’ve-got-a-stick-up-my-ass-and-like-it Leonheart.” Seifer says, with a chuckle, turning to Laguna.
“Well,” Laguna says with an unnatural frown. His long black (and grey) hair which normally spills over his slim shoulders is tied up at the back of his head, and he’s wearing a smoky Grey three-peace suit with a powder blue shirt and a grey tie, instead of his normal Hawaiian shirt and shorts. He must be trying to make a good impression. “You must be Seifer.”
“Yeah, what’s it to ya?”
“I’m Laguna Loire, President of Esthar. Nice to meet you,” He says, still frowning. When Laguna frowns it seems like the strain might break him.
“Oh! Nice to meet you sir,” Seifer says bowing lightly.
“Now, first things first, don’t insult my son.” Laguna says grimly.
“I’ve never met your son Mr. Loire.” Seifer says with a frown.
“I believe you just called him ‘Puberty Boy’.” Seifer’s eyes widen.
“Squall? You’re Squall’s father?” He coughs out.
“Yes, we found out some time ago.” I say trying to keep from laughing.
“Oh… Crap.” Seifer groans slapping his hand to his forehead. “I… um… Sorry President Lorie.” He grumbles out awkwardly. I never would have heard the old Seifer apologies. He’s just lucky that Laguna is such a pushover. Laguna finally lets loose one of his patented smiles.
“Call me Laguna. Anyone that’s a friend of my son is a friend of Esthar.” Seifer blinks nervously. “It’s nice to meat you Seifer, I can call you Seifer can’t I?” Laguna asks in one breath shaking Seifer’s hand. Laguna then turns his attention to me, loosing sight of Seifer. “Have you made any contact with Martine?” His voice switching from sweet and friendly to dead serious in the blink of an eye, Seifer seemed astonished.
“None as of yet. Squall and Xu have been working on it.”
“Oh, I see. And about Carraway?” He asks in a low voice.
“We should talk about this in the Commander’s office.” I remind him; usually he has Kiros around to keep him in check.
“Of course,” He says blushing lightly. “It’s wonderful to see you again Quitis.” He says pulling me into a tight paternal hug. Since Squall and Laguna started spending more time together, Laguna’s been fatherly to all of us. Pretty soon Seifer will be receiving the same treatment.
“It’s nice to see you too Laguna.”
“Ahem” Seifer coughs. “What about Galbadia?”
“Right now, we’re in the middle of a conflict with Galbadia Garden, and Deiling City. Are you still up for being a commander? We may have to deal with another war.”
“I wouldn’t back down.” He says simply.
We start walking towards the Garden’s gates, Seifer scrambling to pick up and dust off his trench coat before catching up with us.
“I’ve heard a lot about you Seifer. You grew up with Squall and Elle.”
“Elle? You mean Ellone?”
“Yes, I’m… Ellone was my wife’s daughter. She’s Squall’s sister you know?” Laguna just kept on rambling. I prepared myself for a retelling of his life story; From being a soldier with Kiros and Ward, loving Julia, Meeting the Shumi and the Moomba, Waking up in Winhill and falling for Raine, searching for Ellone, liberation Esthar, becoming President, and finally finding Squall again. But that’s okay. Seifer hasn’t heard any of it yet, so I don’t mind listening.