Griever Part 2: Chapter 5

Ellone waved me off again turned back toward the outta edge of the balcony, tilting her head into the salty breeze. I hesitated a moment, wondering if I should have taken anything she told me about Ultimecia seriously. It was probable, I always knew that, but there was no reason living in constant terror of that fact. I sighed and walked back inside. I should find those kids that Quistis sent with me, I thought as I headed back to the lift. I hadn’t spoken to them at all the entire flight from Balamb, and this was technically official Garden business, probably their first “official” outing.  I rolled my eyes. As much as I loved Garden, and it was my home, I hated all that went into “being in charge.” Nearly ten years in the position of “Commander” and I still couldn’t stand ordering people around, students or otherwise.

I took a lift to the ground floor and found the kids excitedly talking to Kiros. Upon seeing me they both quickly stood at attention. It was almost laughable, two barley adolescent boys, chests raised, faces stern, waiting for whatever command I could give them. Kiros on the other hand smiled warmly and motioned for me to come closer.

“Your students were just telling me this is their first visit to Esthar City.”

“…yeah…We don’t have to come out here much do we?” The boys nodded firmly in agreement. “Hey, at ease guys.” They both exchanged glances and relaxed quickly. “We’re just here to discuss some funding opportunities that President Loire had in mind for the near future, nothing too exciting.”

“Well, that’s not entirely true,” Kiros added,” Laguna’s been looking forward to your visit for quite some time, Squall. I know that you’ve got an agenda, but that’s why he planned the discussion at the least busy time of the school year for you.”

I nodded in agreement, but grimaced. “I’m not on holiday—“

Kiros put a hand on my shoulder to silence me. “Yes, he knows that.”

I sighed. “Alright. We have to be gone by tomorrow evening.”

“And you shall be!” Kiros patted my shoulder reassuringly. “I’ve got a few details to handle before supper, I’ll see you shortly.” I shook his hand firmly, and he disappeared into the long corridors of the lobby. I turned back to the boys who looked like they were about to explode from excitement.

I pointed to the shorter of the two,” What’s your name, cadet?”

“Uh-uh, Eric Schroeder, Commander Leonhart.” 

“And yours?”

“Dover Christianson, Commander Leonhart.”

“Alright boys, I don’t know how much information Instructor Trepe-Almasy gave you before…but this isn’t a mission. Like I mentioned to Chancellor Seagill, we’re just here to talk to the president about some of the plans he had for Balamb Garden’s funding.”

“May I ask a question Commander,” said Dover saluting again.

“Dover?”

“Yes, sir?”

“When I said at ease, I meant it. Relax ok, we’re not at school right now.” He flushed awkwardly and dropped his shoulders. “Now what’s you’re question?”

“Well, um, there’s this, I guess you could call it a rumor, goin’ around Garden…”

I raised my eyebrows and feigned interest. At this point there was very little talk from students that could really surprise me. “Yes?”

“Is President Loire really your father sir?”

“I wasn’t aware that was a rumor.”

“I just heard about it sir, I swear.” Eric bobbed his head in agreement. “I mean I thought, I’d ask, y’know just to find out from the source…well not the source of the rumor I mean, just from the person it’s about. You know just to um, dispel them sir.” He leaned forward a bit in anticipation of my answer.

I sniffed and shrugged. “Yes, that’s true. It’s no secret.”

Both kids looked deflated, as if they were waiting for some other answer, or for me to get angry or something. I always figured I’d leave emotional outbursts to other staff members who cared about what the student body thought of them. My job wasn’t to be popular.

“Now since that’s out of the way,” I began, in my “time for business” voice, “ I’d appreciate it if you boys changed into your SeeD uniforms and head up to the ballroom. I’ll meet you there in an hour.”

They nodded tightly once again and scrambled off, tripping over one another to get to the lift. I chuckled to myself. I was never that enthusiastic as a kid. I took a glance at my watch and set off to get back to my room to change. The Presidential Mansion wasn’t by any means one of the larger buildings of Esthar City, but the hallways seemed to stretch forever to nowhere in particular. Each floor was identical to the one below it except for whatever offices were housed there. My memory of the layout of the building was rusty. It had been nearly eight years since I’d been in Esthar for any particular reason and almost more than ten since I had been in the Presidential Mansion. I managed to find the guest suite.  I took a shower and dressed in my SeeD uniform. Some of the pins and buttons were so old and worn that they hung by a single thread. They stood out in comparison to the newer badges I’d earned in more recent years. My name badge “Leonhart” was the most worn out, and had been stitched back on by Rinoa more times than I could count. It was my only uniform. Other than special occasions, there was no reason to wear it daily, so I opted to only own one. Another reason I decided to only have that suit was because it seemed to have good karma. Not that I particularly really believed in that stuff, but some of the best moments of my life, and I didn’t have many to count, occurred while I was wearing that uniform. I met Rinoa for the first time the first time I wore it.

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When I walked out of my room to go to the ballroom, the same docent who had greeted us when we landed was waiting for me. “You look very nice, Mr. Leonhart,” she exclaimed. 

“…thank you.”

“Oh, oh I’m sorry,” she blushed and nervously patted the front of her white tunic. “That was terribly unprofessional of me sir. I, um, the boys are upstairs already.” She quickly walked around me and motioned for me to follow her, looking down at the floor the whole time. “The President is very pleased to have your presence this evening, sir,” she continued nervously as we stepped onto the lift. “As is Lady Ellone,” she continued, picking up speed. “Actually, there’s a lot of talk going around the city now, about this meeting, and—“

“It’s just general business, that’s all,” I cut in. I smiled as she quickly righted herself, completely red in the face. “Thanks for your concern.”

She nodded again, flushing even redder. The lift arrived at the top floor of the building right outside the ballroom. Kiros and Ward were standing outside of the room having what looked like one of their silent conversations. The docent hurried ahead of me, flung the doors of the ballroom open and motioned us inside.

The room was huge and dimly lit. A long banquet table stood in the center glittering with crystal plates and goblets. The serving staff stood off to the corners waiting for everyone to be seated. Aside from Ward and Kiros, several other Esthar senate members were present and already at the table chatting. Eric and Dover were sitting on the far end of the table, one seat over from the head. Of course Laguna would have me right next to him, I thought rolling my eyes. The doors opened again, and several guards poured in, lining up at attention at either side of the threshold.  I glanced back at the table to see both boys were still sitting. I huffed and shortly waved at them to stand at attention. Started, Dover bolted up knocking the corner of the table causing all the plates to clank loudly.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of Esthar, Laguna Loire.”

Laguna walked in quickly waving off the guards following behind him. As usual he was dressed casually, sandals and a slightly wrinkled button down shirt. His shoulder length hair had almost completely turned silver, but otherwise, he still appeared youthful. “I know you’re probably all starving, so let’s get started with supper shall we?”

Everyone scattered back to the table and began meaningless smalltalk. I answered with short responses to questions asked about Garden from members of the Senate. There was no point in getting involved in anything beyond that. Once the first course had been served, Laguna decided to begin the more serious conversation.

“This visit has been a bit of a long time coming, but I’m sure you’re wanting to get it over with, “ Laguna said to me laughing. As if under command to respond somehow, light laughter fluttered around the table.

“I wouldn’t put it that way…”

“Oh nonsense. Anyhow, I’ve been thinking for these last few months, and I’ve decided that it would make sense for all three Gardens to have some kind of non-mobile base, a facility of some kind…”

I shifted in my seat. It wasn’t exactly what I’d had in mind in terms of funding, but it had been one of the topics discussed with Cid and the headmaster of Galbadia Garden before. “Yes, well, it has been talked about. The only issue of course is that of funding. Trabia Garden is projected to be under construction for at least one more year,” I began. “And of course there are structural damages in Galbadia Garden that are being repaired as well.”

Laguna nodded happily and finished chewing before answering again. “Squall, you don’t need to worry about any of that.”

“…I’m sorry?”

“It will all be taken care of. Quistis already sent me the projected figures of the cost of repairs. Consider it a private donation. Now about that facility I mentioned, it’s nearly completed.”

I almost dropped my glass. “…what?!”

The senate members collectively gasped. An older man in a gray tunic leaned into the table pointing at Laguna. “President Loire, with all due respect, this is highly irregular!” Others murmured in agreement. “Sir, Esthar cannot side with a military entity!”

“Garden is foremost an academy for the orphaned,” Laguna began in a low voice, “ not an army. It’s a moot point it happens to be a military academy. Furthermore, this donation has been made not from the country of Esthar, it is from myself to my son.”

“I…I don’t know what to say,” I stammered mopping up the wine I spilled.

“You’re welcome,” Laguna replied heartily.

I somewhat at peace knowing money would be one less issue Garden would be having for a while…bu I didn’t need to be summoned to Esthar to know that.

“Laguna…I appreciate this, don’t get me wrong about that…but why did you have me come here?”

Laguna smirked and took a sip from his glass. “Because I knew if I’d called you myself to hire you for a mission you’d say no,” he whispered.