They stirred at the sound of a knock upon the door. Squall had fallen asleep in Seifer's arms. They were going to ignore it, when the person knocked again.
"Squall?"
Seifer groaned, wanting to place a pillow over his head. "He's going to kill me. For sullying your honor."
Squall rolled his eyes, detangling himself from his lover. He didn't even bother to retort to that comment-knowing Seifer would come up with another to shoot back at him. He stumbled over to the door, opening it just as Laguna was about to knock one last time.

"Squall.. am I..."
His words trailed off as he glanced over his son's shoulder to see the other form upon the bed.
"No, we had just fallen asleep, come in."
"I don't want to bother you."
"We need to talk anyway. Please, come in."

Laguna followed his son into the room, still dressed in a suit. They had just gotten off the plane about fifteen minutes ago. Seifer lifted up one end of the pillow, studying Squall's father. He looked as though he was perhaps in his mid thirties (though they knew he was older). His shoulder length hair was unbound, and with those eyes.. So like Squall's yet not - he was a looker. No wonder Squall had such a pretty face. He bet many a woman, and perhaps even some men had made a fuss over this President. Perhaps a few still did. Squall sat on the edge of the bed, while Laguna took a seat on the sofa.
"When did you start wearing black?"
"Ah, just for this meeting. I actually hate suits.. but.." Laguna shrugged. "Need to look the part sometimes. Did everyone arrive safely?"
Squall nodded. "We all made it..although that window was a ... shock."
Laguna smiled. "I had hoped you would like it. It's where the party will be held tonight. And the Graduation Balls, for the rest of the Garden's life. I felt it was only fair."
Squall nodded again, then decided to get to the point. He was, after all, a workaholic Seed.
"Who's Tala?"
Both Laguna and Seifer blinked. Laguna- wondering where the question had come.. and Seifer- just because Squall had asked it so quickly.
"Well, she arrived here last year. About a month before Trabia had finished being repaired. She heard that we were going to build a garden, and wished to join. She.. seems in some aspects - to be rather like you."
"She told me that, might I ask why you think so?"
Laguna sighed, absently rubbing a knuckle against his chin in thought before speaking.
"Her attitude. Very similar to yours. Or, how you had been, I should say. Very lone wolf. That and you two must visit the same leather shop."
Squall's eyebrow almost went up at that, he restrained himself though. Laguna wondered why his eye was twitching, while Seifer was biting down painfully hard on his bottom lip. If he hadn't, he might have busted a gut or two laughing. While Laguna was the pretty factor in Squall's genes, his sense of humor had completely bypassed the boy.
"Is there something wrong? I hope she didn't offend you by calling me Laguna."
"I was just curious as to who she was.. her eye color.."
Laguna nodded. He remembered well the hellish yellow/red Adel's eyes had been. He supposed Edea's had been that way once, and then the one they had fought from the future. "It's normal, her eyes haven't changed all year. She said it's a trait on her father's side of the family. Why don't you go talk to her, Squall? She doesn't offer much information, but you know me.. I don't really ask for it."
Squall rubbed the bridge of his nose. He'd much rather have been able to get the information from Laguna, but he should have known.
"Alright Dad, I'll go talk to her."
"Great. I just wanted to see you before the meeting later."
"Meeting?"
Yes, you seven are the offical guests for this party. And so, we have some things we want you to do. But, I'll discuss that then. I really need to go change; this suit is killing me. I'll see you both in an hour, then?"
Squall nodded. Laguna smiled, glancing over his shoulder once again.
"Nice meeting you, Seifer. I hope next time, we'll be able to talk."
He rose, making a motion for Squall to remain sitting as he did so.
"I can see myself out, don't worry. Give Tala a call. I'll have Kiros tell the others. Same office as last time."
With that, Laguna left. Seifer sat up, and shook his head.
"I still don't know why you're so worried about her.. unless..."
His green eyes narrowed. "Are you attracted to her?"
Squall blinked. Then shook his head. "I'm not."
Seifer frowned thoughtfully, then lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. "I'm going to get some food, and take a look around. I'll meet you at the office in an hour, ok?"
Squall nodded, wondering where Seifer's question had come from. He wasn't attracted to Tala, but there was something about her he couldn't quite put his finger on. Just who was she? Seifer left, picking up his coat as he did so. Squall reached over, and punched in Tala's cell number.
"Hello?"
"Tala. This is Squall. Could you meet me? I need to talk to you."
Light laughter. "I was wondering when you'd call. I'll meet you over at your room, alright? Two minutes. We can talk there."
"Fine."
He hung up the phone, waiting for her knock. As promised, she was there in two minutes. He let her in, but left the door open. She sat on the couch, while he resumed his seat on the bed.
"So, what do you want to know?"
"Everything that you haven't told Laguna."
She smirked. "We only have an hour. I have to be at that meeting as well. I'll give you the basic facts about myself then, alright?"
He nodded, waiting for her to start.
"You know my name already. I'm eighteen years old, birthday is Oct. 31. I was born in a small village outside of Esthar. My mother died giving birth to me. My father raised me for three years, before he was killed on a hunting trip. My aunt shipped me to Galbadia."
"I grew up in that Garden, stayed there until I was 15. I passed the test and left to go out on my own. Good thing I did, or else I would have been there while Edea was."
"And that would have a bad thing, if you had been there?"
Tala grinned again, and Squall frowned. Something about her smile reminded him of a cat who had just caught a mouse, and was toying with it.
"Yes, it would have been. I know that you don't trust me Squall, and you didn't like the fact that I answered two questions without having been asked. Ellone has the talent to send people to the past. I have the talent to look into people's minds. It was part of the reason why I was sent to the Garden. My aunt resented my power. The Garden used it to their gain. I didn't have many friends there, nor did I go out much. So Irvine doesn't know me, sorry."
"....."
"I'm here to help your father, he usually takes me on his business meetings. I tell him when people are lying, or when they are telling the truth. So, he knows who to trust and who not to. I'm not an Esthar Seed, not yet. It's just what we tell people."
"I thought you were another..."
"No, Hyne forbid. Rinoa is very nice, very kind.. But I would hate to be walking around with that kind of power in me. I know with my coloring, a lot of people think that. But I'm not, so don't worry. I'm just a normal girl. Who can read minds." She grinned wryly.
"If you'd like, I can provide the documents you need. I know you still don't believe me. I'm not here to kill anyone, or overthrow the world. What would I do with it, anyway?"
Squall just shrugged. What she said made sense, but he couldn't help it. Ah, well. He only had this weekend he had to deal with her, he could handle that. Tala shook her head slightly, and rose.
"Well, we should go over to Laguna's office."
Squall nodded, following her out. He made sure to lock the door behind them, and as they walked down the hallway, he fell into thought mode. Tala as well, was silent. She had told him what she could, and he believed it. Good, but what would happen when the truth finally came out?

-------

They didn't wait long for the others to arrive. Instead of having to stand, Laguna had placed some chairs inside his office. Tala stood against the wall, just watching silently.
"Ok, I want to thank you guys again for coming. This means a lot to me."
Laguna smiled, as they nodded.
"We'd do anything for you, Sir Laguna!" Selphie chirped from her seat. Tala chuckled as a faint tinge of pink stained Laguna's cheeks.
"Okay.. Well. As you guys know, you are official guests. So, you're under the protection of the palace.. blah blah. I know you guys can take care of yourselves, so I'm going to skip that speech, ok? All we need you guys to do is tell a little bit about yourselves, what being a Seed means to you, and then you guys can mingle."
He pauses. "You guys are going to be in your dress uniforms, right?"
The four boys nodded. "Ok, good. And you lovely ladies all have your gowns?" They nodded as well. "Awesome! Ok, you guys have five hours till the party starts. Tala will be your guide, again. I hope no one minds?"
His eyes lingered on Squall after saying this, and he shook his head. Laguna nodded.
"Alright, see you there. Or be square." He grinned as everyone groaned at the very bad pun.


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A/n - I know, this was a bbbaaad chapter. <sweatdrop> But the next one will be better, I promise! *_*