Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ About Darkness ❯ Beginnings ( Chapter 2 )

“Cadets, I welcome you to Balamb Garden! Hard work lies in front of you. You have chosen the path of soldiers, and you have sworn loyalty to the kingdom in times of war. But you have also found the chance to improve your skills and become men and women of honor! You will find friends that will watch your back on the battle field and you will learn the codes of loyalty and bravery! Make the best of the time you spend here and do not falter! Do not disappoint those who trust in you and rely on you!”

 

Headmaster Cid looked down from his podium over the tense and concentrated faces of the new cadets, men and women in their late teens, standing in neat lines, dressed in the academy's blue and red uniforms with Balamb's coat of arms embroidered on their chests, a golden lion on its hind legs, mouth open in a silent roar.

 

He scanned the crowd once more before stepping down the wooden steps at the side of the podium. The cadets started to discard and he let out a sigh of relief.

 

“I hate speeches” he addressed the small group of people that was waiting for him. “I never know what to say”

 

“You did great” Quistis, one of the academy's instructors replied with a small smile. “You got all the important points across. The rest they will figure out themselves”

 

She turned to face a young, auburn haired man who flicked the rim of his Stetson with thumb and forefinger and shot her a sly smirk.

 

“I am worried about the new instructors, though” Quistis announced. “Are you sure you are the right person to guide those cadets on their way to soldiers?”

 

Blue eyes sparkled with confidence as the wannabe cowboy crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes, ma'am.” He replied lazily. “Don't worry. Reno and I will handle”

 

Quistis suppressed a moan. Irvine and Reno, Balamb's famous playboys and good-for-nothing flirts had nothing better to do than sign up as instructors. Their grades and fighting abilities were above average she had to admit. //But I'm not sure if I approve of the way you'll handle the female cadets that come to you asking for advice// she thought.

 

//At least I have Squall and Rinoa to back me up. Irvine and Reno… That means the loss off all moral standards and ethical values//

 

Quistis was not as bitter about this as she tried to make herself believe. Every single one of the instructors belonged to the same group of highly trained if young soldiers. Archers, gunmen and swordsmen. To them, duty and loyalty stood above everything else.

 

 

 

Xxx

 

“Damn. Did you see some of those blokes? They won't last the first week! Skinny, pale pricks that can't hold a sword if you strap it to their hands!” Reno lamented, sprawled out beneath one of the old oak trees that lined the pathway to the wooded ground behind the academy.

 

“Quit it, Reno” Selphie grinned. “I remember the first time I saw you. I thought you were a girl. With your long, long hair and freckles…”

 

“Shut up” Reno replied with a smirk. “This girl has kicked Irvine's bony ass pretty bad during yesterday's sparring session”

 

“Well, Irvine's an archer. Try to stand up against me and my daggers will remove that sorry excuse of a ponytail before you can say `Selphie rules'!” The short woman stated, pointing at Reno's untamed mane with a broad grin.

 

Xxx

 

The ballroom was lit by three large chandeliers, the flames of hundreds of candles radiating enough warmth to keep everybody warm on the mild summer night.

 

The students were standing around the dance floor in small groups. The new cadets stayed mostly to themselves, unsure what to do. The older ones did not have these inhibitions. Some of them were dancing to the classic tunes of a brass band; the others chatted animatedly or enjoyed the light breeze outside on one of the vast balconies that overlooked the coastline.

 

“Boooooring!” Reno whined and groped for his cigarettes.

 

“You can't smoke in here” Squall stated dryly.

 

“I will make my way over to the balcony before lighting my cigarette in order to avoid bothering the good students of Balamb academy with poisonous fumes” the redhead replied stiffly.

 

He wedged the cancer stick between his lips, shoved his hands into the pockets of his black, neatly pressed suit pants and strolled through the large salon but stopped as he passed the buffet.

 

A group of girls he had not seen before stood around the bowl of fruit punch. A petite brunette with bright eyes and an adorable pout on her full lips eyed the contents of her glass irritated.

 

“You'd think that they'd give us decent stuff to drink. We can fight but we can't handle booze? How fucked up is that?” she snarled.

 

Reno chuckled and approached her, dipping his head to the side.

 

“What do I hear? A damsel in distress? Let me help ya out” he exclaimed with a smirk and retrieved a small flask from the inside pocket of his sharply cut jacket. He unscrewed it and poured a good amount of clear, sharp smelling liquid into the girl's glass.

 

She lifted it to her nose, smelled, then took a sip and smiled.

 

“Well, thank you so much, my knight in shiny armor” she stated before emptying the contents of her glass in one large gulp.

 

Reno grin stretched from ear to ear by now. He produced his crumpled pack of cigarettes and tapped its bottom until one of the tobacco filled sticks popped out.

 

“What else can I do for you, milady?” he asked.

 

“Well, for once you could rescue me from boredom. You don't have a fiery steed waiting beneath the balcony by any chance?” Yuffie replied with an equally broad grin as she took the cigarette.

 

“Nope, I got a bike though, if that's any help” Reno answered.

 

Yuffie laughed and held out her empty glass. “I might be desperate enough by the end of the evening ta take ya up on that offer. But right now some more of your magic potion will do”

 

“Hm…” Reno smiled and dipped the flask over. “No potion left, I'm afraid. But if you accompany me to my squire over there by the door I am sure we will be able to find some more”

 

Xxx

 

Cid made an effort to focus on Ellone's eyes during their conversation. He really did. But her perfect curves demanded attention. Reno had brought her over along with a couple of other girls.

 

A quirky brunette named Yuffie had captured the redhead and was clearly turning his world upside down with her sharp comments and sly attitude.

 

Then there was that odd quiet girl - Tifa. Her hair was as dark as her eyes, barely reaching down to her chin.

 

The black dress she wore highlighted her pale skin and skinny figure.

 

She kept to herself but looked quite cheerful, smiling and giving polite answers whenever she was addressed by Rinoa or Selphie.

 

//Strange woman.//

 

His attention was quickly drawn back to Ellone. Beautiful, quick-witted, elegant Ellone.

 

//Fuck. Who would have thought someone like her decided to attend Balamb// he thought. //I better make a move before Irvine strikes//

 

A low murmur rippled through the crowd as the brass band stopped playing and cleared the stage.

 

“Now you gonna meet Irvine” Selphie explained to the cadets and smirked. “He's a useless bum but quite good with the guitar”

 

A group of four entered the stage. A small, blond girl set down behind a set of what looked like a mix of drums and xylophone, each of the guys either holding a guitar, a bass or a mouth organ.

 

The girl started to hit the metal keys of her instrument with padded sticks and a cheerful tune filled the hall.

 

The bass soon joined in, followed by the mouth organ. They repeated the light, relaxed tune over and over again until finally Irvine, Stetson dipped low over his forehead, struck his guitar, emitting sounds that fitted his cowboy image and strangely enough matched the tune perfectly.

 

The crowd started swaying to the rhythm, giving in to the light-hearted mood that engulfed them.

 

Xxx