(no subject)

[leatheredlion.livejournal.com]

Who: Squall & Quistis
When: After Quistis gets back
Where: Quisitis' Dorm Room
What: Talking
Rating: PG-13



Squall made his way along the corridor towards Quistis' dorm room. He looked exhausted and stressed, his eyes showing worry and lack of sleep. He carried a folder under his arm, bringing his free hand up to the door, knocking lightly.

"You may..." She paused, as if thinking about it. Seated at her desk, she was busy typing up a report on her travels. Her journey had been an interesting one and had provided oodles of useful information. She hit return, turned towards the door, and folded her hands in her lap. "Enter."

Squall opened the door, stepping inside the room before closing the door behind himself. He offered Quistis a half smile as he crossed the room. "Welcome back. Safe journey, I trust?" He ran a gloved hand through his hair, finger combing the locks into some kind of order.

Shrugging a little, she patted Save the Queen, her whip which was coiled like a snake at her side. "Safe enough, I suppose. Those individuals who went with me were a little rough around the edges, but I picked up a few new skills and was able to gather the data that I needed. How have things been here?" She adjusted her glasses. "You look... awful?"

Squall moved to sit. "Such a compliment, Ms Trepe." He gave another soft smile. "Things here have been... quiet. Though... I fear something big is on the horizon." Fingers gripped at the folder subconsciously.
I
Quistis gave a nod, turning to face him more. It was good to see him for it had been far too long. "Well, I think I agree with your analysis. The monsters in the field were acting... strangely at best. Do you have any ideas as to what that something big might be, Squall?" It put her ill at ease. They weren't prepared for something major to happen.

"I have my suspicions... but I hope I'm wrong." He sighed, nibbling at the inside of his lip. "Creatures... known as Heartless... I fear they are on Gaia..."

"Heartless? Is that what you and the king were speaking about that one time? What do they want? Why would they be coming here?" Her brows furrowed, and she reached out, gently patting the back of his hand. "Don't worry, Squally. We can handle whatever fate throws at us. I know it." Her smile was strong. Well, if there was one thing she was good at it certainly was lying.

"Yes. The very same creatures. Black, shadowy creatures, devoid of hearts. The devour worlds to collect hearts. I have seen a world destroyed before my very eyes. They reproduce by taking more hearts and transforming them into other Heartless. They are mindless creatures - someone else is most likely controlling them." He drummed his fingers against the folder. "I've been recording possible sightings, gathering as much information as I can. If something big is going to happen... I need to be prepared. I don't want to see Gaia destroyed."

Nodding, she reached out, taking the folder from him. Placing it on her desk, she flipped it open, quickly scanning through a few of the files. "Essentially a parasite. That's not good. If they are as bad as you say, we should definitely be waiting for war. But who could possibly be controlling them? If we can figure that out, well, we can simply nip our problem in the bud." Smoothing out the skirt of her uniform, Quistis shook her head. "We certainly are good at getting to the root of problems. But I feel that we should probably put out a call for all eligible SeeD members to return... and perhaps we should try to get to the mercenaries before they do." She ran her finger down the list. There were more sightings already than she was comfortable with.

Squall nodded, listening to her words, taking them in. He never did understand how he became commander of Garden when Quistis was simply a million times better at dealing with a crisis than he was. "I should try to get in touch with the King. Perhaps the other Keyblade weilders too..." He chewed at his cheek. "I cannot think of a reason why someone would use their dark power. Things have seemed so peaceful lately."

Getting up, Quistis made her way to the window. She opened the blinds, having closed them to better work on her report. Her arms crossed over her chest and she turned back to him. "If there is one thing that is certain it is the fact that peace never lasts. As much as we may want our lives to go fluidly, there will always be turmoil. There will always be wars. All we fighters can do is protect those who cannot protect themselves." Wandering back to him, she slid her fingers through his hair. "We'll be fine. Everything will be fine. But getting the Keyblade wielders... whatever that might mean... is probably a good idea." She shrugged. "Want me to start heading abroad? I can be a very good diplomat when I want to be. If we need to send an emissary to try to gather support, I would trust no one as much as I trust myself."

Squall leant into the touch, letting out a soft sigh. He didn't believe in sugar coating the truth and false hope, but comfort and reassurance were exactly what he needed. "Getting support on board is a good idea. But, we do not want to cause alarm and panic. I believe you are probably the best person for the job, but don't push yourself, you've only just returned, don't burn yourself out - if this blows into something big, we'll need you fighting fit."

"Oh, come on. Running on empty is what I do best. Don't worry about me. No matter what I do I give it my complete devotion and attention." Taking a seat beside him, Quistis leaned back on her hands. "It's you I'm more worried about pushing yourself. You need to learn to relax. Roll with the punches. Though you've never been good at that. You worry enough for everybody. That's why you ended up as Commander." She gave him a small smile.

Squall gave a soft chuckle. "I guess I've always pushed myself, always strived to reach the top, be the best. At some point, I think I realised being the best didn't matter as much as making sure everyone around me is safe and secure - yet I still push myself as hard - maybe harder." He returned the soft smile.

Giving him a little shove, Quistis grinned at him. "And that, Little Boy, is why you could never be a heartless. They don't stand a chance against you. You care too much. There's no way you could stop. It's both your greatest strength and weakness. I'd hate to see what you'd be like if one of us passed into that endless night. You can save people from everything except their ultimate end. Don't think that impossibility will stop you, though." Getting up, Quistis made her way to her closet. Tossing it open, she began rummaging through the few outfits that were there.

Squall chuckled soft, watching Quistis intently. "You, Quistis Trepe, are one of the few people who can read my every thought and feeling. You see behind my icy exterior with ease, and that both worries me and comforts me." He stood, moving to close the closet. "You must rest tonight at least. I didn't intend to burden you with this problem until you were settled in."

"I'm not allowed to change my clothes?" Smirking, she turned to him, shaking her head. "I just feel a little ridiculous, that's all. I seem to be one of the few people who still cares about wearing my uniform on a regular basis. I would much rather be in something comfortable. Plus, packing doesn't hurt." Laughing, she took her hair clip out. Her hair was much longer than most people thought. "Also, being able to read you is my gift. That is why you will never escape me and you'll never survive without me. I call it job security." She winked at him, laughing.

"The uniforms lack enough leather and fur for my tastes." He joked dryly, though his eyes held a hint of humour, a warmer glow to them now than when he had first entered the room. "If you wish to change, then I should advert my gaze, correct? Or would you prefer I leave the room?" He smiled. "As for your gift, my mind is not always the safest of places to venture, remember that."

"Avert your gaze, stare, whatever you'd like. I could change inside the closet or in the bathroom. You're a guest, after all." She smiled and shrugged. "The uniforms don't have enough leather or fur for my liking, either, but I haven't got the money for a good dose of leather and fur. As it is, I've got my eye on something that I'm saving up for." She grabbed her more relaxed outfit and made her way to the bathroom. Closing the door behind her, she hummed, coming out a few moments later in her casual clothes. Her uniform was in a heap on the floor.

Squall waited, tapping his fingers against his arm deep in thought. He smiled when Quistis reappeared. He stood, tugging his jacket off, tossing it to Quistis. "Enough leather and fur for your taste?" He purred, though he was most curious as to what she was saving up for!

Catching the jacket, Quistis laughed and put it on. It was a bit large for her in the sleeve length, though when she tried to get the front to close, it didn't quite want to go. Grumbling, she plopped down on the bed. "You don't have a chest, that's the only reason it doesn't fit. It's not like I'm fat or anything..." Snickering to herself, she looked over at him. "Hm. I think it is enough leather and fur for me. Though I'm certain that it looks better on you. And I'll have to have you as an accessory when I get my motorcycle."

"I wasn't even thinking you were fat, you have a wonderful figure - perfectly toned." He smiled soft, chuckling. "Motorcycle? Well... We could always get one with Garden's money - an important travel instrument of course!"

"But then, technically, it belongs to Garden. I want it to belong to me. Besides, I'm almost there. It's just a matter of getting some time to go to Midgar to get hold of one. You can get hold of anything there, you know. Maybe you should come with me. It'd be a fun vacation, I think. Maybe we could forget about the oncoming disaster for a bit." She shrugged and blushed a little. His compliment was rather flattering. She assumed that nobody ever noticed her figure, not compared to other people's. "Excuse me? Have you been checking me out, Squally? Into older women, are we? Naughty naughty." She laughed, wagging her finger at him.

Squall rose an eyebrow. "I'm not sure you fall into the category of 'older woman', Ms Trepe. Technically, you are older than be, but not by much." He paused. "Midgar? My impression of Midgar was that is is a dark cesspit of corruption and poverty ruled by a power hungry corporation interested only in lining their own pockets with money. But I guess I forgot to include the seedy dealings and back street sales." He teased.

"I've heard it's gotten a little bit better...?" She flushed and shrugged. "Either way, I don't really think I can get a good price on one anywhere else. I'm just hoping it has all the parts when I get it." She laughed and crossed her legs. "Of course I'm older. I've been around. I've got tons of experience on you. Sort of. Okay, not really. You wreck my fun, Squall!"

Squall chuckled. "I apologize. But, if you are planning on heading to Midgar, then I suppose I should escort you, or you'll be taken by the Honeybee Inn and never seen again."

Quistis laughed. She'd heard of that place, and not much of it was good. They took just about any woman they could find right off the street. "You think they pay better than Garden? My whip skills might earn me a little more than your average girl, though they'd have a hell of a time catching me." Giving him a poke, she smiled brightly.

"Hmph! They have nothing on Garden pay, I'd bet. Besides, you probably wouldn't get health care and free magic! And I like your whip skills right here thank you very much!"

A flick of the wrist and Save the Queen was wrapped around his wrist. She'd been practicing the use of non-lethal force. Giving it a little tug, Quistis pulled him closer. "Truly? Right where? And I won't deny that you can't beat the health care and free magic."

Was that a blush creeping across Squall's cheeks? Why yes it was! The faint blush tinted his pale cheeks. He coughed a little to clear his throat. "I... I hope you are not trying to seduce your Commander, Ms Trepe?"

"Of course not. Only responding to a little harassment that my commander seems to have dished out." Another flick and the whip was coiled at her side. "Though you didn't answer my question."

Squall smirked - a smirk that befitted even Seifer, the king of smirks. "I'll leave the answer up to your imagination. After all, I wouldn't want to have a harassment charge against me, staining my nicely clean record."

"Oh, come on now, Squall. That's no fair. If I were really trying to seduce you, would I have gone into the bathroom to change? We're old friends. You know I'd never... your record is NOT clean! I filed reports on you all the time! Did you erase all of my comments once you became commander?" She huffed, standing up, hands on her hips.

"Comments? What comments would those be, dear Quistis? I was a good boy, never in trouble, always worked hard." He grinned, folding his arms across his chest. "You must be mistaking me for someone else."

"I'll report you for this! I know I filed a few 'this student needs additional assistance' reports! Not as many as I filed for... other people... but still." She laughed, shaking her head. "Nah. Can't report you. Nowhere to report you to."

Squall chuckled. "Additional assistance? Is that Instructor talk for wanting to spend more time with me? After all, I was your favourite student, right?" He teased. "But no, all your comments are still intact."

"I'll believe it when I see it. Looks like some hacking is in order." She winked and stretched a little. "And, yes, that's instructor lingo for wanting to spend more time with you. Though at least now I know why I wanted to so badly."

Squall raised an eyebrow. "So it wasn't because of my dashing good looks and superb communication skills?" Of course, back then you'd probably have gotten better conversation out of a wall, unless discussing something work related.

"Um..." I usually got better answers talking to the kitchen sink. "No." She smiled, running a hand through her hair. "Well, dashing good looks, maybe. Those haven't changed."

"Then... what was the reason you wanted to spend extra time with me?" He asked simply.

"Because you were one of my closest childhood friends and I didn't remember." She'd rehearsed that one, and good thing, too. Elsewise, Quistis would've been tripping on her tongue, blushing, and giggling like a schoolgirl.