BGU, 8:12 am
Sarriss opens her eyes. Today is the Seed test. This was the thing she was waiting for so much time.

Sarriss: A brand new day, for a brand new life-type! Let's hurry.

She gets dressed, combs her hair, and put her white glove on her right hand. Sure she didn't need it for the present time, but the feeling of this hidden hand was making her feeling safe. She looks outside, trough the window, and sees the flowers blooming in the gardens. She smiles, and gets out of her bedroom. She goes to the classroom, at the first floor, to hear the lasts things to know from her instructor: Shu. When she enters the place, the students are all at their seats. Then Shu enters the classroom.

Shu: Alright class. So as you know, this afternoon is going to be the field exam. The ones who succeed at the last week's test, will stay in the study room. For the others, you've got free time until 2 o'clock p.m. That's all.

The students get up and get out of the room. Sarriss is alone, looking around her. Shu is about to close the class.

Shu: Sarriss! You coming?

Sarriss: +like if she's been awaken from a dream+ What?... well... yes! I'm coming!

She runs to the entrance and waits for Shu to close the door.

Shu: Don't you feel good with the other students? You seems absent those days...

Sarriss: Actually, I'm wondering some questions, and I can't find any answers... +looks down+ that's just... +stops+

Shu: +closes the door+ Just what? +looks at the girl+ Sarriss?!

Sarriss is on her knees, hands on her chest. She's breathing hardly and loudly.

Shu: Sarriss! Are you alright?

Sarriss: I... I...

She fells down on the ground, unconscious. Shu kneeled down near her and examine her.

Shu: Sarriss! Answer me! What's going on with you!?

She shakes her, but Sarriss does not wake up. Some seconds pass... Seifer appears in the corridors, he's alone, walking. When he sees the two girls, not far from him. He runs to them.

Shu: Seifer!

Seifer: What's wrong?

Shu: Sarriss'... she has fallen, all of a sudden on the ground.

Seifer: Damn it! +takes Sarriss' left hand+

Shu: I'm going to get some help, stay with her! +runs to the elevator+

Seifer: ...

He still gets an angry face, but he takes another look at the young girl, his expression turns to something that looks like "sadness"... Sarriss opened weakly her eyes.

Sarriss: Hum...? Seifer...?

Seifer: Sarriss!

Sarriss: Did I...? +tries to get up+

Seifer: +rude+ Better not talk.

Sarriss: You know, when I was trapped into those darkness, I felt the warmth of your hand...

Seifer: +rude+ What are you talking about?

Sarriss: It has leaded me back to consciousness... +smiles+ Stop looking at me as if I was a ghost! You do have a heart! +laughs+ It's so good when you know that people care for you.

Shu comes back with Quistis.

Shu: Sarriss! You're back!

Sarriss: Hopefully, I'm fine. Thanks to Seifer. +smiles at him+

Seifer: +angry+ Don't make me do this twice! I'm not some kinda nurse!

He leaves, and Sarriss looks strangely in the direction where he disappeared. Quistis comes nearer to the girl.

Sarriss: Is it me or did I do something wrong?

Quistis: It is you. Humph! This guy really doesn't need any soul! How could he have friends?

Sarriss: +looks down+ ...

Quistis: Never mind! Come on and smiles Sarriss!

* * *

It's about 12 am. Sarriss has decided to take a pen and draw something. She was drawing some roses on a paper when someone knocked at the door.

Sarriss: Who is it?

But noone answers. She continued to draw, but it knocked again. This time, the girl went to the door and opened it. A dog entered in her room. It was a brown one, with longs and soft hairs. It began to wander in the bedroom and sat near the bed.

Sarriss: Well, will you look at that! Hello puppy.

Sarriss heard someone running, it came closer and then, a black haired girl appeared at the opened door.

Girl: Ha, Angel! What are you doing here! Come over here!

Sarriss: This is your pet?

Girl: Yes, she's my love. +comes near the dog and gives him a hug+

Sarriss: How cute she is!

Girl: Ho! +she gets up and turned to face Sarriss+ Excuse-me for entering your room like this. My name's Rinoa. Nice to meet you. +smiles+

Sarriss: I'm Sarriss Melford. Pleasure is mine. +smiles back at her+ Are you training to be a Seed?

Rinoa: Well yes, I've started this year. But they told me that I will pass the test today. You're going too, aren't you?

Sarriss: Yes, I am. Maybe we'll be in the same team!

Rinoa: I hope so! +looks at the drawings+ You made them, didn't you? They're beautiful.

Sarriss: Yes, I love roses. They're kinda expressive, you know.

Rinoa: +looks at the clock+ Hey, it's lunch time. Would you like having lunch with me and some friends? They will be happy to meet you.

* * *

In the cafeteria, Squall is sitting at a table with Zell, eating. Rinoa comes to the table with Sarriss behind her.

Rinoa: Hi guys!

Squall: +eating+ ...

Zell: Hi Rinoa. +eating, looks at Sarriss+ Hey, new comer?

Rinoa: Squall, Zell, meet Sarriss from class B. She's going to pass the field exam.

Sarriss: Hello!

Zell: +eating+ Hi...

Squall: ...

Rinoa: +shows the seats next to her+ Sir here. +sits+

Sarriss: Thanks. +eats+

Zell: So, what's your weapon?

Sarriss: Well, ... I've got something like a gunblade. But this one's special.

Zell: Really?

Sarriss: Yeah... +goes a bit red, and smiles+ Seifer gave me his Hyperion.

Zell strangles himself with the meat, Squall and Rinoa stopped drinking.

All: +really surprised+ SEIFER??!!

Seifer: +coming at the table, angry as always+ Who called my name?

All (except Sarriss): ...

Sarriss: Well, hello again Seifer. +smiles+

Seifer: +confused, tries to do not look at her+ How... how dare you look at me?!

Sarriss: +misunderstands+ I'm doing something wrong?

Seifer: +angry+ Yeah, you're right! You're little spying eyes are looking at my face!

Zell: +gets up and comes between them+ Hey man, stop treating her that way!

Sarriss: That's okay Zell... +looks down+ he's right you know...

Zell: What? No way!

Seifer: Get out you hedgehog head.

Zell: +shows fists, mad+ WHAT did you call me??

Rinoa: Squall, do something! Seifer, Zell stop your foolishness!!

Sarriss: Yes, please... +shakes fists+

Squall: +gets up+ Seifer ...!

Sarriss looks sadly at Seifer, she's about to broke up in tears. In the cafeteria, everyone is looking at them. They all stopped eating, talking and drinking.

Sarriss: Oh Seifer, why are you acting like this? I don't understand anymore! Is it because of me? Did I make something that got you mad? You... you still have my rose, don't you?

A tear fells down on her face, she was still looking at him, and Seifer wasn't saying anything.

Sarriss: Is it what does it do to you when someone offers you Love or Friendship?! Is there any troubles for telling someone that his or her presence has brought you back to consciousness??

Another tear was about to fall down on her face but she whips it away from her eye. She turned to face Zell, Squall, and Rinoa.

Sarriss: ... I'm sorry guys, it's all my fault. ... I think I should go and rest for some...

She sights and walks away from the table, with all eyes on her. Each step she makes, each time she feels that her strength was getting away from her. She's near the entrance, when she turns herself to face the others. Her face has turned rather white and sickly, with pleading brown eyes.

Sarriss: S... seifer... aide moi... (help me...)

She fall down, in the middle of the corridor, unconscious. Seifer was looking in the direction, where the girl called him; he seemed absent, and once more, this kind of "sadness" came back on his face.

Seifer: +whispers+ Sarriss...

Rinoa: +gets up, shocked+ Sarriss!!

Rinoa, Squall an Zell ran to her body. Rinoa kneeled down, and picked Sarriss' body near her.

Rinoa: +examines the body+ She living... but she's weak... Squall, go and get the nurse!

Squall: ... right! +leaves+

Seifer walked slowly to the two girls, but Zell faced him, showing his fists.

Zell: +angry+ Do NOT approach her!

Seifer: ...

Zell: Look what you've done to her! It's all your fault if she's lifeless!

Rinoa: Calm down Zell, it won't bring Sarriss back.

Seifer: +pushes Zell on the side+ ... let me through... +leaves+

Zell: He really not deserve her friendship!

Squall comes back with the doctor.

Doctor: Again? Please, carry her to the infirmary. She needs to rest.

* * *

Later, in the infirmary... Everyone is there: Squall, Rinoa, Selphie, Irvine, Quistis and Zell. Sarriss is on the bed, "asleep". When Shu, the headmaster Cid and his wife : Edea arrived.

Cid: +looks at Sarriss+ So there she is... a quite good student...

Quistis: Will she be able to go to the field exam?

Cid: This rests in her hands. If she's alright to do it, she will go. But if she's like that...

Edea: We're afraid that she will never be able to be a Seed...

All: What??!!

Selphie: That mustn't be!

Shu: You're right. Besides, Sarriss is strong, she will have it.

Edea: But this girl could also being possess by some evil that could take over her mind and body. I can't tell what would it be, but if it's like this, she could become dangerous. ... For now, let's let her have some rest, she will need it.

They all leave, except for Selphie, Quistis and Rinoa.

Selphie: We mustn't leave her!

Quistis: You're right. It will depends on the teams during the test. Rinoa, where ever you will be, you must look after her, she mustn't fell once more! Or... it'll be all over.

Rinoa: I know... +looks down+ But I'll handle it, she'll be fine!

They smiles and left. Then Seifer arrived in the room. He came near Sarriss body and kneeled down.

Seifer: Sarriss... I still got your rose... and it's reminds me your kindness... for me...

Sarriss: S... Seifer...? +opens weakly her eyes+

Seifer: Sarriss! +confused, turns red+ Y... you heard what I said?

Sarriss: Not entirely... but I liked what I've heard. +sits on the bed+ So you do care about me?

Seifer: +gets up, still red+ Well...

Sarriss jumped at his neck.

Sarriss: Seifer! Oh I'm so glad that you love me!!!

The two went really red, Sarriss step back from him, really confused.

Seifer: +Truly RED+ ... Wha?!

Sarriss: Well... I meant "like" ... hehe, not "love"... +smiles and joins hand together as a prayer+ Never mind. Now I can really take you as a friend, can't I?

Seifer smiles back at her. He comes nearer to her and is about to put his arms around her...

Shu: Sarriss! You're awake! Seifer, you should be ready! Go change your clothes, it'll be better.

Seifer: ... +leaves+

Shu: You too Sarriss, should go and get ready, we're in the hall.

Sarriss: Okay. I'll be there in a few minutes.

* * *

In the hall, Rinoa and her dog, Shu and Seifer are waiting for Sarriss to arrive.

Sarriss: +runs in the corridors+ Sorry to keep you waiting!

Shu: Alright, everyone's here. Let's go!

They went outside, where a flying ship was waiting for them.

Seifer: Sounds fun.

Shu: Climb aboard.

Inside, the five are in some kind of a living room, they're all sitting.

Rinoa: So how is the team?

Shu: You are three in this team. There's you Rinoa, Sarriss and Seifer.

Angel: Woof!

Shu: +looks friendly at the dog+ Yeah, I've forgotten you Angel. Sorry! The leader is : Sarriss.

Sarriss: +shocked+ ME?!

Rinoa: Well done!

Sarriss: But I don't want to be the head!

Seifer: +rude+ Stop crying girl! You've got the chance to do it so don't act that way!

Sarriss: +smiles+ Yes, you're right. Okay, I'll do my best.

Shu: There are three other teams. You are team A.

Rinoa gets up, and looks through the window.

Rinoa: Where are we heading to?

Shu. To Esthar. You'll have to escort the president to from there to Tears Point.

Seifer: Great! How boring...

Sarriss: And ...?

Shu: That's all, they choose us because we've help them last year. But be careful there will surely be people who will want to kill the president. You'll be the ones that will act as his bodyguard.

Sarriss: Good. Now if someone shoots on him, will take the shot instead of him!

Seifer: +ironic+ What a happy end!

Shu: Don't be so pessimist! What do you want to happen?

Sarriss: Well, ... I could get unconscious again, someone could kill all the teams with gas or poison, take hostages...

Seifer: Nice program.

Shu: You just worry too much Sarriss. Because you're the leader does not mean that everything will go wrong!

Rinoa: Yes, Shu's right you know. You're just too worried. But don't worry, everything will be alright.

She smiles, and Seifer too.

Sarriss: Thank you all of you...

Rinoa: +looks at Sarriss' blade+ Gee, isn't it a bit heavy?

Sarriss: +shows her right hand+ I carry it with two hands. That's why I've got a glove on my hand.

Rinoa: Yes, I understand : to protect yourself from the edge...

Sarriss: Yup! +smiles+

Rinoa: How about your limit break? What is it about?

Sarriss: It's name "Hill's Rose". I normally use a white rose, it depends on my feelings... +turns a bit red+ I just pick one by one the petals and throw them at the ennemy. Then, when all are gone, I throw the stem in the air... and a big spear with spikes fells on the ennemy! Tadaa!!! It's finished!

Rinoa: +laughing+ Pretty fun, as you finished it!

Sarriss: Yeah...

Rinoa: +looks at Angel+ Wanna go for a walk? Yes? Alright then! You coming too Seifer?

Seifer: ... +follows Rinoa+

Shu: +looks at Sarriss+ I'm going with them.

Sarriss: I'm staying here. Have fun!

They all left the room, the brown haried girl is now alone.

Sarriss: *bites her hand* ... But what if it turns wrong...?