Post by Squall Leonhart on Jul 12, 2009 22:39:22 GMT -5
I. To handle the cause of the problem, never just the effects.
II. To promote a safe learning enviroment for all.
III. To show acceptance in situations where only cruelty or disbelief would be shown.
IV. To defend those unable to defend themselves
THE BEGINNING
The very first headmaster of Gaia wasn't Reavis Xand but Sal Lorandeau. He set up Gaia Garden not only as a place to train further SeeD mercenaries but also to give them all a safe haven. Where problems were dealt with by finding the cause, not just by choosing the simplest solution. Be this in matters of conflict or in matters as to how SeeD teams gel together, or even different personality traits that various members would show.
Sal had to work hard to get the funds together. He was a former member of Galbadia Garden, saving his earnings to get the funds for making his own garden. Although he was able to save up the most part he knew he was getting old. Already he was starting to near the point he'd be past working age in SeeD, blind in one eye starting to lose sight in another. He instead started to look for funding. He knew he'd have to hope his garden that he envisaged would be able to pay off its debts but it was the only way he could see his dream coming to life.
The only problem remaining was its location. Sal had no desire for it to become like Galbadia or Balamb or even Trabia. His eventual choice was where it sits now, on an island South West of Winhill. This positioning meant that they were away from being overly embroiled in the rest of the troubles of the rest of the world unnecessarily, yet without seeming to want to distance itself - which would be a move that'd seem fatal.
ESTABLISHMENT
The first thing built was the dock to enable materials to be transported across. After that the village, initially to house the workers but once they'd gone while everything was being set up it became as temporary accommodation until the dorms were totally finished. The last thing to be built and fully completed was the great garden, which originally sat above land.
Though obviously without people to inhabit the garden it wouldn't be much of a garden. With this in mind Sal looked to get his first members. It didn't take him long to find them either, inviting them to his garden they soon entered his tuition.
Time went by and soon the garden had grown there were many more members there. Sal was growing old and weak, and as the garden expanded so did rumors of dissent. It was in these troubled times that Reavis Xand joined the garden as a young student. His parents died soon after leaving him an orphan.
FURTHER WORK && FIRST DISSENT
It wasn't long before the first group of SeeD cadets graduated, or were returned to their homes if they were proven to be unsuitable to such a life. One of the most noted new SeeD was Reavis Xand. He'd supervised the evacuation of a building struck by Galbadian fired missiles. Even risking his life to save a child, only just getting away before the whole building collapsed down. It was, obviously, Reavis who got the highest grades - graduating at SeeD rank 19. It was only the foolish risk of his own life when back up was coming that prevented him from getting a higher mark.
Still, many new candidates were joining the garden. Whispers of Dissent started to go rippling through. Many were starting to feel that Sal was getting too old. That he would drag the garden down. Few people stood next to Sal, Reavis and some of the other first graduate SeeD stood firm though. They even attempted to dispell the whispers, tried to block the inevitable from happening.
Eventually though the inevitable did happen. A group of candidates surged up. In the fighting Sal was killed. Reavis also lost one eye from the attacks. He'd been the one who'd seen Sal's loss. Although in time the dissent was quelled, it had changed many there. Reavis was named as the new headmaster.
A GUARDED ACCEPTANCE
Under Reavis' command the garden flourished. Yet all had learnt a vital lesson. They would have to be more careful as to whom they allowed into the garden. While they needed intelligent hard working courageous young men they couldn't be allowed to doubt the rightful chain of command. Still despite this the garden grew becoming a powerful force of its own right. Under Sal it had grown from a seed to a young sapling. Beneath Reavis it grew into a mighty tree. It was Reavis who heard the threat from Galbadia of the sorceress Edea and ordered the monitoring of all those who wished to join the garden.
When he heard that Balamb and Trabia Gardens had both been attacked he made the decision. He knew that the garden had been built on Cetra era technology. He'd also heard Balamb had been able to take flight. He activated the technology - alas it was too damaged to allow the garden to fly. But that didn't mean that it was totally ineffective. Instead it took the garden deep beneath the ground where it was soon covered. Anything above ground apart from its great tower became ruins quickly and flora and fauna soon flourished over the whole island.
To prevent the secret from ever been found out though Reavis came to the decision that there would have to be a test. He called those most trusted to him out of the newer SeeD giving them their orders to take 3 vessels out with a crew of 4 per vessel. They were to test the reasons for anyone wishing to board the vessel before they were allowed on.
STRIDING INTO A NEW TIME
Although many would say that with the defeat of the Sorceress there was no need for the Gardens any more few realized how wrong they would be. Yes Ultimicia had been defeated but there were many more threats. Fragile nations - their defenses torn by the Galbadian assault led by the sorceress needed protecting and ultimately they turned to the SeeD forces again.
It was due to this that Gaia recovered so quickly - as well as the continuing leadership of Reavis Xand. Only 19 when he'd first become the headmaster he was now 37 years of age. The garden remained hidden beneath the ground a perfect disguise from all other potential threats.
It was a return from the lock down status that had been enacted until the sorceress' final defeat to the guarded admittance scheme that had been set up before. Once again Gaia ships graced the shore lines of the continents to lead in people who wished to become SeeD and who could prove themselves worthy of such a title.
My sanctuary, my sanctuary, yeah
Where fears and lies melt away
Music inside