Author Notes: Hello, Readers! For those unfamiliar with my works, this is a short story I came up with focusing on Zell as a central character - something I've never done on a large scale - I'm normally a Squinoa writer.
For those already familiar with my works, firstly, this isn't a long multi-chaptered story that will take the focus away from my other fics - those will still be updated alongside this new one. Secondly, my intention to write this was really down to having an idea, and executing it, in hopes of getting the frequent-update-ball rolling. As everyone is more than aware, my update scale has plummeted in the recent years.
As I mentioned, this is a short story which is currently at eight chapters (not all chapters have been written, but each has an outline) and roughly around 4,000-5,000 words per chapter, with the exception of the first chapter, which stands at just under 1,500 words. Again, as I mentioned, my reason for this fic is to push myself to write/update regularly than to create a perfect story. So, if anyone doesn't enjoy this, I hope my other works will be more pleasing. ;)
Disclaimer: Story is based on characters from Final Fantasy VIII, which unfortunately, I do not own.
Dincht Day
In a bid to redeem his seemingly inconsiderate lack of gift-giving, Zell grants each of his friends a Dincht Day coupon – a chance to spend a full day with Zell Dincht. While some apprehensively welcome the meagre gift, others are less than keen.
Chapter I
Zell Dincht was a simple man. A couple of hotdogs, a copy of Combat King, and a steaming cup of tea with two sugars and full fat milk was all it took to keep him happy. Sadly, not everyone was the same, and at times, Zell's rather humble gifts and gestures made his simplicity look simpleminded.
At Cid and Edea's vow renewal, Zell bought Cid a nose hair trimmer, a gift which was laughed off by a very tomato faced Headmaster, who then constantly eyed himself in anything reflective. For Edea, he gifted her with a bath set, which was a fine enough present had he not mentioned 'It'll remove the stale orphanage smell.' Suffice to say, the Kramers were quite the self-conscious thereafter.
Of course, a star ranked SeeD needn't be gil-hungry, and Zell would often splash out on his friends during dinner, or contribute generous amounts to charities. So naturally, everyone knew Zell wasn't in the slightest way being offensive or frugal with his money . . .
. . . at least that's what they had thought until Balamb Garden's Victory Anniversary.
Squall, Quistis, Rinoa, Irvine, Selphie and Lily all sat around the dinner table, speculating thin manila envelopes that they had just been handed by the martial artist. Each envelop was identical in size and weight with the only difference being the name printed on the front.
"All right, you can open it." Zell watched as each of his friends curiously opened the gift, some hoping it was a cheque, others tickets to a concert. However, each displayed the same confused and unimpressed expression once they viewed the hand crafted coupon in their hands.
"Dincht Day coupon?" Rinoa uttered to herself. "What on earth is Dincht Day?"
"There's no such thing, Zell's just made it up," Quistis quickly quipped.
"Can I return this for something I can actually use?" Selphie moaned.
"Hold up, hold up, let me explain." Zell pulled a chair in front of him and sat down with his arms folded over the backrest. "This Dincht Day coupon is a free, and exclusive, one-of-a-kind offer to spend a whole day with yours truly." The blond pointed a thumb towards his chest, grinning at the expressionless faces that stared back at him.
"Are you serious?" Irvine asked. His face deadpanned.
"Well, don't all jump at once," Zell retorted. "C'mon, it's a full day to spend with me, doing whatever you guys want. We can head in to town and take a trip to Dollet, or go fishing in Obel Lake."
"Hm, yeah, actually I wouldn't mind that." Selphie chirped and Zell immediately smiled.
"In that case, Selphie, you can have my coupon." Squall flicked his coupon toward the brunette.
"I've got a ton of laundry I need help with," Quistis muttered.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Zell stood up, his arms held out as if to prevent anyone from moving. "These coupons are non-exchangeable, nor is this a way to get me to do your chores."
"Zell, you used my office supplies to make these measly coupons. I'm not sure about the others, but seeing you every day at Garden is enough, spending an entire day with you isn't something I look forward to. I'm out," Squall said rather brazenly.
"What? I thought you guys would love the gesture. I made them by hand because there's a lot more thought to it than printing some template off the internet."
"It's not just the coupon, Zell. I think given the fact that we've spent our hard-earned gil on your presents, hanging out with you – which we all ready do – isn't something that took a lot of thinking or effort," Irvine explained to the disheartened martial artist.
Zell's shoulders slumped in dejection. He couldn't believe his friends didn't want to spend time with him. Even Lily, his girlfriend, didn't look impressed.
"It's not that the thought isn't sweet, it's just that I was kinda hoping you'd get me those boots we saw in town," Lily confessed, baring a thin, disappointed smile.
"Are you sure we can't just swap these with some cafeteria coupons? I'd kill for a hotdog right now." Rinoa drooled.
"The Garden Festival's coming up, I'll use this coupon to get help with the backdrop, and Squall's one to complete the stage decorations," Selphie commented cheerily.
"If you're getting help with the Garden Festival committee, then I definitely want help with my laundry," Quistis remarked.
"Rinoa, I'll give you my coupon as payment for the fifty gil I owe you?" Irvine called out to the sorceress.
"Yeah right!"
Zell had had enough. He bent over the table and swiped each coupon out of his friends' hands. Looking at them all sternly, he took a deep breath, and then calmly sat back down.
"One ticket per friend, no exchanges allowed. And, regardless of whether you think this a shabby gift or not, this is my gift to you, so accept it. Besides, this is only part of my gift," Zell explained.
"Really!" Selphie erupted. "So we're getting legitimate presents after all?"
"If it's another coupon, you can exclude me." The sharpshooter waved away the thought.
"No, it's not another coupon," Zell bitterly spat back. "Don't you guys get it; this coupon allows you to do whatever you want with me."
The group of friends looked at each other in unease, Lily however, perked up.
Zell grimaced. "That came out wrong. I didn't mean it in that way. I mean, if you want to take a trip out of Balamb, or play Triple Triad with General Caraway in Deling City because that's always a pleasure, I'll pay for all the expenses."
"Now, that I'm up for, er, minus the whole seeing my Dad bit," Rinoa said.
"I can take a trip to Trabia!" Selphie exclaimed.
"Would this include buying my boots?" Lily asked with a cheeky grin, to which Zell nodded in agreement.
The gang had seemed to warm to the gift, except for Squall who remained with arms folded, looking as unimpressed as ever. Zell began handing back the coupons, but hesitated once he got to Squall.
"If you want to stay in Garden, it's cool. I'll be your office errand boy, if you want."
Squall eyed the coupon with disinterest. Then he huffed and snatched it out of Zell's hand.
"I'm sure I can find some paper work for you to file. Then again, Cid did tell me the Training Centre is in need of a thorough clean after one of the T-Rexaur's had diarrhoea."
Zell gazed back at the commander in disgust. "Oh, great."
Squall's comment was a passing thought once he felt Lily's lips on his cheek. He turned to her and smiled.
"I have just the perfect, romantic night planned – er, after you buy me those boots." She winked.
"Don't worry, I'll personally squat down and place them on your feet, Cinderella." Zell chuckled.
And with that, the Balamb Garden inhabitants were merry again, somewhat. It wasn't the ideal present or gesture they had been hoping for, or expecting, but it was definitely from a very thoughtful and sincere intention.
As Zell looked at each one of his friends, now eagerly sharing their ideas for their personal Dincht Day, he smiled to himself.
Little did they know what each day had in store and the impact it would have on their futures.
