It was a quiet day in the office of the Commander of Balamb Garden. Nobody had started any wars lately, monster activity was low, the reconstruction of Trebia was going smoothly, there weren’t any discipline issues with the cadets… There just wasn’t much to do.

( And so the Commander and some friends were playing cards. )

Leon pushed aside a rock in the small cave he sometimes called home, revealing a hidey-hole in the wall. In there was a bedroll, some food, a few gil... and a battered deck of trading cards.

( Obscure quirks of FFVIII game mechanics! )

( Quistis had called him back for pointless, stupid, frustrating reasons, and Squall was not happy... )

( The ship was a little bumpy as it slid into the atmosphere. )