Something Worth Having
Zell Dincht was lonely. He'd left Garden a year ago, when they'd started
teaching the kids calculus instead of battle tactics. Zell just wasn't
cut out for the more diplomatic, academically focussed Garden. Instead
he'd started his own personal martial arts classes for students who
felt they needed some self defense. As the monsters left over from the
Lunar Cry had died out or been killed, it was human monsters that
people needed protection against and Zell was happy to oblige. He also
took occasional jobs escorting people through the parts of the world
that were still inhabited by monsters. Right now though, business was
slow in general and Zell was at leisure to consider that he missed his
friends who had all left
Garden and gone their several ways. He was sitting on the steps of the
building where he taught self defence classes when who should approach
him but Squall Leonheart.
"What the hell? Squall! Hey man good to see you," Zell shouted as
he ran up to give his friend a hug. Squall just laughed and hugged him
back, a lot had changed since they'd defeated Ultimecia and although Squall
and Rinoa weren't together anymore Squall was a lot more open and
friendly. "What brings you here?" Zell asked, knowing that it was
probably more than just a fun visit. Squall was helping to run
Galbadia Garden now and this meeting was unfortunately probably mostly
business.
"You know me too well," Squall said. "I wish I was here just
to visit you, although I hope we can do some of that too, but I do have
a job for you."
"What's up?" Zell asked, gesturing for Squall to sit down beside
him on the concrete steps, which he did.
"We've been getting some pretty strange reports abut the
orphanage." Squall said, clasping his knees." Apparently
people who go by there after dark have been attacked and forced to give
up the most valuable possession they have with them at the time. It's
mostly fairly well off clients we've heard these rumours from and while
I don't think it is anything too serious I'd like to have someone look
into it just in case."
"And I'm the man for the job, eh?" Zell rubbed the back of his
neck. "Well, I'm not busy now. I'll go take a look at it for you
if you like."
Zell and Squall had lunch together and caught up on each other's lives
a bit. Then they went and caught a movie at Squall's suggestion. He had
a train to catch not long after that, so he walked Zell to his
apartment.
"No I don't still live with my mother," Zell said punching his
friend lightly. "I didn't want to live too far away though so I
stayed in Balamb. Think you have time for some coffee before you
go?" Zell asked hopefully.
"Sure thing" Squall said, sitting down in Zell's little kitchen.
"I really miss you guys, in case you couldn't tell," Zell said as
he made coffee. "There isn't much to do here in Balamb when I'm
not working. I really liked all the action we got when we were crazy
renegade SeeDs."
"You only miss the fighting because it's not happening now."
Squall said with a smile. "I think all of us think about it with a
bit of nostalgia, but peace can be good if you have someone to share it
with." Zell looked at Squall questioningly and he blushed a little.
"There's this girl at Galbadia, I've been dating her for a while now.
Her name's Sara." Zell grinned.
"Way to go, Leonheart! I'm glad you're over Rinoa, she was way too
cheerful for you." Squall gave him a menacing glare as he got up and
poured their coffee. "Oh, uh I mean I wouldn't have you any other way,"
Zell said quickly, but Squall just smiled.
"What about you Zell, seeing anyone?"
"No, I think that's part of the reason why I miss the old days so much.
Just a little lonely you know."
"Yeah I know." Squall said, frowning slightly. "Don't
hesitate to drop by Galbadia Garden some time," he said. "I'd
like to see you." Squall checked his watch and got up. Shaking
Zell's hand firmly across the table he said "Thanks for taking the
job Zell. I know I can count on you."
"See you later man," Zell said. "I'll give you a call or a
visit once I've checked things out." Squall waved as he closed the
door behind himself and shook his head as he walked down the hallway.
He really hoped that Zell could find the thing that would make him
happy. He deserved it.
The next day Zell informed his current students that he'd be taking a short
trip, no longer than two weeks, and that he'd call them when he got
back so they could resume their training. Then he stopped by his Mom's
place to let her know he'd be gone for awhile on business. After that
he went home and packed his stuff into a backpack and bought himself a
ticket on a ship that would drop him off on the
north side of the island where Edea had built the orphanage. Zell walked
aboard the ship, bouncing with every step. Whenever he had an excuse to
travel and maybe get into a little bit of trouble he was excited. He
settled himself by the railing at the back of the ship and watched
Balamb disappear. The churning wake behind the ship mesmerised Zell for
awhile then he went inside with his backpack and read a magazine. It
took a few long dull hours before an announcement came on saying that
they'd be docking soon. Zell sighed and got up, hoping that he'd manage
to see some action this evening since he'd come all this way.
Zell shouldered his back pack and walked ashore, noting that it was about
3 o'clock and there was plenty of daylight left. He headed towards the
orphanage, noticing that there were more signs of human habitation out
here now. Probably mostly rich folks with a taste for the isolation
this island could provide. That would explain why there were actually
people complaining about this attacker hanging around the orphanage
ruins. Zell enjoyed his walk, since it was a beautiful day, with bright
sunlight and fluffy white clouds racing through the sky like flocks of
frightened sheep. He smiled as he walked and hummed a little tune,
practising a few fighting moves as he went. He only ran into one ruby
dragon when he passed too close to the edge of a forest, but the thing
was half starved and Zell took him out easily and was almost
disappointed.
Pretty soon he was at the ruins of the orphanage. Zell took some sandwiches
out of his pack and headed down to the shore by the lighthouse to perch
on a rock and watch the sea while he ate his dinner. It was pretty
damned quiet out here and he'd had too much time to think about his
loneliness and looked like having a lot more.
Zell poked around in the orphanage later and noticed that it was indeed
inhabited, but no one was home. There were only a few rooms that looked
to be lived in, but someone was actually doing some pretty neat repairs
around they place and looked like they'd be staying for awhile. Zell
felt a little bit like Goldilocks poking
around the place without an invitation. He didn't look through any drawers
or anything, just took note that someone was living there and then went
back outside. For all he knew the person living here had every right to
be here and he certainly had none. So Zell sat out on the steps reading
his magazine until the sun started to set. Then he just sat there and
wondered if those rich folks were nuts or something. There didn't seem
to be anything untoward going on here, unless living in an abandoned
building was a crime.
Zell thought he must have dozed off when he suddenly awoke at the sound
of someone climbing the steps. By the time he was on his feet however
it was too late. Zell felt hands close around his throat and a voice
grate in his ear. "All right pal, I'll let you go if you give me
something that makes it worth my while not to kill ya."
"Seifer!" Zell managed to choke out, "What the fuck?"