************** What If... **************
A FF8 fanfic by Vick330 (the MadScientist)
***** Disclaimer *****
No own FF8.
No cares.
No sues, please.
No valuables to seize.
No money, either.
No kidding.
***** Foreword *****
What if genders were reversed in FF8?
Maybe it would look something like this...
***** I - Garden's Ball *****
Reno Heartilly gave himself a look-over in the full-length mirror, and he smiled appreciatively, for he looked sharp in his stylish powder-blue suit, matching tie, and starched white shirt. The outfit put his dark, raven hair, and hazel eyes at great advantage.
"Qualla, are you ready?" He called to his wife, "It's almost time to go."
The brown-haired, introvert woman appeared, and to Reno's despair, she was wearing her usual leather skirt, with the red crossed belts, gray shirt, and black boots and jacket. At first glance, the only different thing was the way she had arranged her hair, so the scar on her face, a souvenir from Sofie Almasy, wasn't quite so obvious.
The man rolled his eyes, "Qualla Leonhart! I thought that we agreed that this was a special occasion!"
"Whatever."
"Don't give me that! You were supposed to dress up!" It was obvious that Reno was losing patience.
"I did."
He looked closely, and had to admit that Qualla had indeed made an effort. She was wearing a new jacket, without the fur-lined collar, and cross-skull on the right arm. Her shirt was plain, not the one with 'Mess with the best, die like the rest' stenciled across her chest. Furthermore, she was wearing a dark-gray panty hose, with a vine pattern on it, and no runs for a change.
To top it off she had painted her nails and lips in a blood-red color, and her eyelids in a purple hue. She actually looked quite stunning, so he figured that he could live with it, and they took their convertible to get to Garden.
**********
Upon entering the Ballroom, they went first to the bar for drinks. Reno had his usual Martini (shaken not stirred, of course), and Qualla grabbed a bottle of Shiva-Lager (Cold beer for cool people), refusing the glass.
While her man went to greet Headmistress Cidalya, and her husband, Sorcerer Edom, Qualla leaned against a column, figuring that she could get a few good minutes of quality brooding, before Reno insisted they hit the dance floor.
Her peacefulness was cut short, when a high-pitched voice startled her, "Qualla! So good to see you, I was wondering if you would come."
It was her good friend Zelda Dincht, unexpectedly wearing a knee-length, sleeveless red and black dress, without her armored gloves, and, even more noticeably, with competently applied make-up, which put the small arabesques of the tattoo, on the left side of her face, look like the masterly touches of a bucolic painting.
Her short blonde hair was not arranged in its usual spiky style, but in a fluffy way that that framed her face, and put her delicate features, and azure eyes at great advantage. For once she looked like a feminine, and athletic woman, and not like a girly-looking guy.
"Whatever." Said Qualla.
Zelda was unruffled, for she knew that this was her friend's customary greeting. "Come on, girlfriend, turn that frown into a smile, you know that it's a special day for Quisto, being named Head-Instructor and all."
The young woman took a long swallow of her beer, and replied, "Whatever."
Qualla spotted Irma Kinneas coming towards them, the violet-eyed girl, wearing a dark blue cowgirl attire (her idea of formalwear) remarked, "Well, well, well gals, don't yah look pretty tonight."
"What..."
"...EVER." Completed Zelda and Irma, chuckling.
The three women went to refresh their drinks, and had an unpleasant encounter on their way.
"Lookit here, I really admire you girls, it takes courage to make such fashion statements." Said the tall blonde, with a smirk on her lips.
Zelda responded, "Cut it out, Sofie, and by the way, Jennifer Lopez called, and she wants her dress back."
Sofie Almasy was effectively wearing a dazzling green dress, with a cleavage that was at the limit of respectfulness. It must be said that her stunning figure, long blonde hair, covering the scar Qualla had given her, and deep blue eyes were a sight to behold.
The muscular albino by her side warned, "NO FIGHTING."
"Don't worry Fujo, Zelda and I are really good friends. Isn't that right, Ginger-hen?" [Reference to the movie 'Chicken Run']
Zelda turned red, "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?"
Fortunately, at that moment Quisto passed by and intervened, "Miss Almasy, you promised to behave, you are very fortunate to have been allowed back in Garden, so please try to remember that."
The blonde woman looked at the Instructor flirtingly, "Instructor Trepe, it's so good to see you, congratulations on your promotion."
"Bitch!" Mumbled Zelda under her breath.
"Huh?" Inquired Sofie, but only received a dirty look from the short girl.
Quisto Trepe feigned to have missed the exchange, "Thank you, Miss Almasy, and please don't stir trouble, or I will be in the obligation to discipline you. Now if you ladies will excuse me, I will see you all later." He gallantly saluted, and then left, greeting people as he walked.
Sofie looked appreciatively at his receding back, "You can discipline me all you want, you yummy gorgeous hunk you."
"Me too," added Zelda, "I've been a naughty little girl, very, very naughty! Purr!"
Irma couldn't resist to add, "Oh yeah, baby, use that whip of yours, and I don't mean the one on your belt. Meow!"
To Fujo's despair, the four women, even Qualla, had a good laugh at this last remark. He gratefully obliged, when Sofie dragged him away.
Irma remarked, "What's wrong with that Sofie? Doesn't she notice that poor Fujo is, like, totally in love with her?"
"She's way too much in love with herself, Irma. I don't understand what the guy sees in her, it's sad that he has such bad sight, since he only has one eye, and all." Offered Zelda, "What do you think, Qualla?"
"What..." started the dark-haired girl.
"...EVER!" completed the two other girls, bursting in laugher.
"Hiyaaaaaaaaa! It's so great to see happy people!" Boomed a merry voice behind them.
Irma jumped at her boyfriend's neck, "Stephen! Were have you been? I've been looking all over for you."
Stephen Tilmitt's emerald eyes sparkled with laugher, "Oh, I was with the guys, we have a special surprise for Quisto."
The cowgirl looked at the brown-haired guy hard, "You're not planning on having a stripper come over, don't yah?"
At this the man sweatdropped, "Heehee, of course not, Baby, of course not."
"Yah better." Replied his girlfriend, patting the Colt at her hip menacingly.
Music started playing, and couples began gliding on the dance floor, Stephen and Irma excused themselves and took part in the ballet. Zelda went to look for a partner, and Qualla to get another beer.
Reno spotted her, "Hey, Honey, care to dance?"
"..."
"Come on, don't be such a little meanie, dance with me, please?" He pleaded.
Qualla wasn't very demonstrative, but she loved her man, and cared deeply for him. She hugged him tightly, resting her head on his strong chest, as the lights were dimmed, and a ballad's languorous notes drifted through the room. This was her kind of dancing, as it had been ever since he had come into her life.
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End of chapter 1.
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To be continued...