Chapter Text
Quistis pushed a stray hair behind her ear. It was a habit of hers that signaled the beginning of an angry lecture. I straightened in my seat and leaned forward, resting my elbows on the edge of a stack of reports I had been ignoring for a week. This’ll be good.
“Did my daughter come in here this morning?”
My daughter. I rolled my eyes. ‘She has a name,’ I thought. That was half the trouble right there. Of all the things in the world that weren’t my business, Quistis’ relationship to her children was definitely on the list.
“Well?”
I nodded and held her gaze. Quistis’ expression, which was already stony when she entered my office without knocking, went flat. Her eyes narrowed and she chewed her lip. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped and sighed.
“I don’t see why you’re advising her against taking the field exam. She’s ready. She’s old enough, and frankly, it’ll be good for her. I don’t need you confusing her!” It had been awhile since Quistis had been angry with me. It had been brewing though. At least since the divorce had been finalized. Her kids were spending a lot of time with my own...and by default also with me. I didn’t mind their presence though. Our younger kids were the same age and played well together, so it made entertaining my boys easy.
The field exam season was upon Garden and Quistis had been dealing with forming squadrons, paperwork, and of course daily teaching. Honestly, I’d expected to see Astrid in my office months ago.
“Her abilities are excellent, yes,” I began. ”But ultimately the decision to participate is Astrid’s. I certainly wouldn’t encourage or dissuade any student from the field exam. She wanted to discuss other opportunities she could pursue once she’s finished at Garden.”
“She’s fifteen, she’s a kid!! And you’re putting ideas in her head!” Quistis’ voice was low pitched and hoarse. Like she’d been yelling before she came up here.
I didn’t reply. Not because I didn’t want to, but it was a tactic I used over the years to disarm her. It didn’t work every time.
“Let me guess, her father talked to you? Just what I need, someone ELSE criticizing the way I raise my kids.”
“No, I haven’t spoken to Seifer since his last report. I’m not interested in your problems with him, Quistis.”
Quistis’ face paled. Maybe I shouldn’t have gone there, I thought. She blinked and kept her eyes closed a moment too long. When she opened them she flashed her gaze toward the ceiling then back at me.
I’d never seen Quistis shed a tear in all the time I’d known her. Not when she had FIRST lost her role as instructor 20 years prior. Not when her relationship with Seifer fell apart. And not now, but she was close. I felt a pang of guilt. Quit being a dick.
“...I’m sorry. Look, you need to take some time off.” God knows I could use some.
“When?! How, Squall?! The exam is in a month, I have end of semester grading, and are you forgetting that we are in serious negations with Galbadia? I have a meeting with the foreign secretary in a week!”
Shit. I had forgotten about that meeting. I would need to be present too. It had been delayed by almost a year because of the fractured Galbadian government. Two thirds of the ruling party refused to enter peace talks and retaliated by occupying Winhill then, as a display of power, established a “new capital” in the Dingo Desert. The borders closed and by consequence every SeeD away team in Galbadia was trapped.
Some twelve were stationed there. Four managed to escape months into the blackout, four more were discovered and imprisoned in the D-District prison. Two teams lost their lives trying to escape. One team retreated to Deling and was still there as volunteer informants.
The final team, Seifer’s, managed to cross over the northern border to Dollet when the military rule began. Out of necessity I put him in charge of the Deling team and assisting in liberating political prisoners in the surrounding government outposts in the Obel Lake area. He was also a direct connection to the Deling team who managed to arrange the meeting. Getting everyone home safely hinged on the outcome of this meeting. God, how could I have forgotten?!
Deafening silence settled over both of us. A phone rang a few times down the hall and footsteps approached, then three soft knocks. The door opened and Klaus, my assistant entered.
“I’m sorry to interrupt Commander Leonhart,” he began, “Instructor Trepe is needed in Classroom number two,” he turned and nodded at Quistis.
“What is the issue,” Quistis snapped. “Surely my TA can handle it.” Klaus was unfazed. I was rude to him daily for years. Including that morning when I realized I’d locked myself out of my own office for the third time in a month.
“You’re twenty minutes late to proctor an exam, Instructor. I believe your TA does not permission to proctor the cumulative written portion of the SeeD exam.”
Quistis growled, snatched off her ID badge then thrust it into Klaus’ hand. “You have the credentials. Unlock my computer and you proctor it. I’m in a meeting.” Klaus blinked and looked in my direction.
I shrugged. “Well? You heard her, go.” I sincerely hope he was being paid well for this abuse. Klaus nodded diplomatically and left, softly closing the door behind him.