Stealth
Chapter xxxvii
By YuriNigasa
*standard I don't own FFVIII, Squaresoft, characters, etc. applies from now until whenever I decide I'm done*
Stealth
Chapter xxxvii
By YuriNigasa
"This is where we found the manuscript." Usuki was standing at the base of Heroth's memorial. He found the manuscript around the Guardian of Knowledge? Huge surprise there.
"Was it simply sitting out?" Quistis asked.
"Oh no, not at all. The manuscript itself was located inside a box on what we think was an altar. We took the piece back to Trabia for analysis. When we're done, it will be shipped to the history museum in Deling City for display. Follow me back this way."
I raised an eyebrow when he offered Quistis his hand. She caught my look and blushed, but didn't hesitate to take his hand.
"Watch your step, Quistis. Gentlemen, be careful." Usuki turned on the lamp and Elijah and I followed when he began to lead haltingly back into a rubble-strewn area.
The ceiling had dropped to about seven feet in height with a width of about six feet. It was enough to make me nervous, riling my instincts about being trapped should anything attack. There wouldn't be anywhere to go and little room to fight. After several minutes, we stopped abruptly when faced with the massive debris that could only have resulted from a cave-in. I groaned. It was going to be a bitch to get through.
"We're going to have to be cautious clearing this out," Usuki said.
I suppressed a sarcastic snort. It sucks to be on your best behaviour some times. "Do you know how far back it extends?" I asked.
"We tried to drill through and look, but after drilling about five feet, we knew we didn't have the right equipment to try and remove the debris or shore it up to ensure it didn't collapse again. We decided to wait for the next dig, but unfortunately our funding had been running a bit low, so we weren't able to return." Usuki put a hand against the rocks and looked a bit dejected.
"Well, it's on Garden's tab now." I shrugged.
"You're awfully free with money that's not yours," snickered Quistis.
"Hey, I got you your cast saw for the clinic with money that wasn't mine and I didn't hear you complain." I rolled my eyes and grinned. It was amazing how quickly Quistis had warmed up to me once she had seen where my loyalties really were. I admired her quick wit and intelligence, and we worked well together.
I heard voices echoing behind us. I couldn't tell who it was, though.
"This way!" I called.
"Sheesh!" exclaimed Quistis, putting her hands to her ears. "Not so loud. I'll go deaf."
"Huh? What'd you say? I couldn't hear you." I cupped my hand to my ear and leaned closer to her.
"Oh shut up," she said, making a face and smacking me on the arm.
"Oww!" I rubbed my arm and looked hurt.
"Children, play nice," scolded Irvine as he walked in with Zell in tow.
"Isn't that supposed to be her line?" I asked, earning me another look from Quistis.
"So, why aren't you done clearing this out yet, Seifer?" asked Zell sarcastically.
"I was waiting for you to show up and help, Chicken." I grinned wickedly.
Zell dashed toward me in an attempt to exact vengeance but soon discovered that I was standing on a pile of rubble that required a more delicate stance. He went skidding forward and only managed to barely catch himself before tumbling headfirst into the wall. He turned and shot us a look that dared anyone to laugh. I never was one to resist a dare. Beside, there was no way I could not laugh at the sight of Zell flailing his arms to desperately maintain balance.
I nearly doubled over in laughter, and even Zell laughed good-naturedly at his own expense. It helped lift the tension that had been building. Everything was so serious now. It had been too long since that night at the beach. There was no telling when we might get another chance to laugh like this, and I think that was something we all knew. I didn't want the moment to pass before Quistis, Irvine, Zell and I truly appreciated it for what it was - a solidification of our long-strained family bond. Neither Usuki nor Elijah seemed uncomfortable about our antics, but I think I caught a look of wistfulness in Elijah's eyes.
"Squall?" I heard the voice in the corridor, echoing off the metal plates that lined the Ragnarok's interior. I recognized the childish pitch as belonging to Selphie. There I was, in the room, on my knees, wearing a torn and bloodied shirt. I didn't need her to find me like this. It would spark too many questions I didn't want to, or couldn't, answer. I hastily removed my shirt, shoving it under the mattress. I then grabbed my jacket and put it on, zipping it up. I headed for the door just as it opened and Selphie walked in. She gave me a strange look, and then shook her head. "Honestly, Squall... zipping your jacket? You're insane. Do you know just how hot it is outside?"
I shrugged in response, as if I couldn't be bothered enough to notice something as insignificant as hundred degree temperatures and sweltering humidity. The sooner I found out what she wanted, the sooner I could get rid of the evidence and put on another shirt. I wouldn't admit it, but I was breaking a sweat just standing here. "What did you need, Selphie?" Some days, it paid to have an antisocial reputation, even among your closest friends.
For an instant, her brows knitted in displeasure at my response, but in true Selphie fashion, it was over before it began. "Everyone else has gone into the caves. I wanted to let you know that we were going to try and clear some things out before it got too late."
I nodded. "I'll be right out. Why don't you go on ahead and I'll catch up?"
Shrugging, she replied, "Okay. I'll see you outside. Or would it be inside? How do you classify a cave, anyway? Oh well," she waved a hand dismissively, "I guess it doesn't really matter, now does it?" I quirked an eyebrow and gave a little expression of ignorance. She turned and skipped out, like she was heading for the playground rather than a critical mission.
I unzipped my jacket as soon as the door closed. I looked down and put my hand over my chest, just to verify the solidity of my flesh. The feeling of my heartbeat and the warmth of my skin vaguely reassured me. Dropping the jacket to the floor, I dug through my bag for a clean shirt. Finding something suitably light for the weather, I slipped it on. I reached under the mattress and took out the shirt. Leaning over, I picked up my jacket and wrapped the shirt in it before stuffing them both in my bag. I'd take the shirt out the next time I went on rounds. Then I could bury it out in the sand, and nobody would ever be the wiser. No questions asked, no suspicious glances, no hushed conversations that ended abruptly when the subject happened to turn and face the conversers.
I began walking out when I realized that buttons were still scattered all over the floor. Seifer was observant, he would surely notice them if I left them. Stooping down, I picked them all up and dropped them in the corner of my bag. Satisfied that I had taken care of everything at last, I walked out of the room and headed off the Ragnarok.