Destati Fatali
Notes: Hiiiii o, thought I'd try to write a Final Fantasy fic for a change. Loosely based/inspired on Shakespeare's tragedy- "Hamlet". As mentioned, this is a crossover so expect... unusualness occurring. I wanted to try something different Other than that please enjoy and read & review, I'll love you forever and ever.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, ;; this fiction is done for entertainment purposes only.
Warnings: AU. Some OOC.
Act I, Sc.i
Prologue
The night was cold, although that itself was not unusual to Esthar's city, extremely hot days, followed by clear, cold nights.
But there was something in the air tonight.
There was a prevailing uneasiness, which would not dissipate despite the silence. Perhaps it was caused by the silence itself. But for whatever reason rest tonight in Esthar was uneasy.
King Laguna had been the ruler of Esthar for nearly twenty years, however his strength was waning and so the risk of open conflict grew greater. Galabadia was a greedy neighbour ready to take on any opportunity possible to challenge Esthar's authority.
With that in mind, the king had seen that his only son, Prince Squall, had been sent to train at the Balamb Garden. Military studies at the garden were strict and Laguna had hoped to install in Squall some of the qualities he considered most important.
Discipline.
Devotion.
Leadership.
For Squall had gained a reputation in Esthar as a philosopher rather than a strategist.
A thinker rather than a leader, that's what he, was.
To Laguna this meant the fall of Esthar. The prince would have to be instructed in the arts of war, leadership and discipline. There was no other child who could take the throne. Queen Raine had been dead for almost 17 years, passing from birth complications after Squall had been born.
For the king, his son held great happiness and sadness at the same time. At times he'd turn the prince away when Squall needed the comfort, and Laguna was paying for that mistake now.
The Estharian prince had grown up- a handsome young man, proud, smart... but not fit to be a ruler.
At least, not yet in Laguna's eyes.
They were the only family they had, and yet... they were strangers to each other. Laguna never overcame the grief of losing Raine and Squall blamed himself for it. The king did not think the prince guilty of such thing, but always kept a distant to the young prince.
This formality had eventually implanted in the boy's mind that his father blamed him for his mother's death.
In an attempt to provide Squall with a motherly figure, Laguna had remarried to Lady Edea from Balamb. A cunning woman, yet with good perception towards the people, the king had not regretted his choice. Though his heart belonged to Raine.
After their marriage, Balamb and Esthar had passed onto a time of prosperity.
Sir Seymour, the King's brother had also been more amiable lately. His diplomatic work and alliances had done a great deal to ensure Esthar's safety.
And despite all his pledges of loyalty... Laguna still had reserves towards his brother.
It was difficult to accept such relation. Seymour was nearly a decade younger than Laguna, probably closer in age to the young Prince. Laguna's father had been unfaithful to his previous queen and Seymour was the result.
Laguna had promised his father on his deathbed to keep Seymour as part of the royal family, with the same privileges he had.
The humiliation was...
Beyond bearable.
However, what worried Laguna more was his half-brother's ambition. Never before had he witness such a rabid lust for power, for wealth... Still, it could not go unsaid that Seymour was a leader.
Unlike Squall.
That single thought bothered the king a lot, so turning to Edea for advice, she suggested that they sent Squall to the Balamb Garden to continue his studies. She seemed confident that this would allow him to learn and become 'fit to rule'.
So as King Laguna rested in his bed tonight, thoughts concerning his son filled his slumber.
Act 1, Sc.ii
Balamb Garden: Military Academy
"If you would finish reading the rest of chapter four tonight, that'll be all for this lesson." Quistis Trepe, instructor extraordinaire rested one hand on her hip as she watched the class scribble down their assignment. If only they were that enthusiastic at the beginning of the lesson...
Oh well.
The blond woman watched the clock.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One- the bell rang out startling those who'd been dosing in her lesson. Most students however, knew better than to do that and just gave a relived sigh.
"Class dismissed."
Her bright blue eyes watched her class file out, eager for lunch—she sought him out.
"Your highness, if I may?" Quistis called out patiently to the handsome brown-haired man who, as usual, was trailing at the end of the crowd. Without further words, the student approached the desk, and waited. Clearing her throat, Quistis watched the rest of the class leave.
Silence.
Cloudy blue-grey eyes grew impatient as he regarded the instructor, "Yes, Instructor?" The prince had never been one for conversation. Squall shifted slightly, obviously uncomfortable, one hand holding his books, the other just left by his side, although he kept moving his fingers nervously.
"I just wanted to enquire about your studies, I trust they are going well?"
Inwardly sighing, Squall forced himself to reply, "Yes, very well-"
"And your injury?"
The prince automatically moved his hand up touching his forehead; a scar now decorated his handsome profile. A small accident during training. "Healing fast."
"Are you sure? Cadet Almasy has a record for reckless behaviour-"
"It was an accident Instructor Trepe," Squall kept his voice steady; he'd never been a fighter... until coming here. Injuring someone... still bothered him somewhat. "I injured him as well. There are no hard feelings between us."
Biting her lip, Quistis nodded. King Laguna had thrown a fit when he heard Squall had been injured and wanted to punish Seifer of Almasy for his insolence. However, the prince had been stubborn on the matter insisting that it was only an accident.
Besides, Lord Almasy was a close advisor of his father and uncle. Having his only son punished for accidentally injuring the prince would not go down well.
And Squall appreciated Seifer. Though he was a rival and a brutally honest person to the point of being rude; Seifer respected Squall for just being himself.
They were opposites, Seifer being rash and uncontrollable, Squall being introverted and reflective.
"I thank you for your concern." Squall said softly, then bowing his head slightly he left the room. He was not about to let his father punish someone because of a little accident, and not just someone—but a person Squall regarded as a friend.
Also rival.
But first and most foremost a friend.
"I think she likes you." A tall bond head appeared beside him as he made his way to the cafeteria.
"Don't be ridiculous, she was only enquiring about my studies."
"And your recent injury." Seifer of Almasy countered with a smirk.
Squall turned accusingly to the man, "You were eavesdropping?"
Shrugging in reply, the taller man entered the cafeteria first, leaving a very annoyed Prince behind.
Act 1, Sc.iii
Balamb Garden Cafeteria
The room was bursting with life. People, cadets and professors crowded it, some sitting on tables with trays, others standing in-line for food.
Squall's expression didn't change, but if he could make a face, he would've been wrinkling his nose in disgust. Crowds of people were not his thing. People in general were not his 'thing'. Being a Prince avoiding public eye was impossible, but he tried.
Half of the reason he'd agreed to come here was that, as a student in Balamb it might become easier to avoid public eye.
Yeah right.
While coming to Balamb had allowed his a lot of more privacy than while in Esthar, teachers and classmates alike treated him as the Prince. You really could never run away from whom you were. Squall had finally accepted that the hard way.
Still coming here had allowed him at least to gain a friend in Seifer... and in Instructor Trepe. Though she still showed a great amount of concern for him, more than towards other cadets, she was still strict and had no qualms about handing him detention if his assignments were not completed in due time.
Seifer had already taken over a large table on the far side of the room. Slowly, Squall made his way there, sitting down, back towards the wall. It was a good place; from here he could pretty much observe all without being watched in return.
That's why Seifer had picked it. Squall only felt comfortable here.
He would have to hand it to his rival. Knew him a lot better than Squall had realized, knew him from just observing.
"Seifer!"
There she was.
A blue blur collided with the blond man sitting next to Squall.
Rinoa Heartilly giggled throwing her arms around the blond, kissing him on the cheek. "It took you ages to get here, I almost thought you weren't coming." The woman pulled over a chair and sat down.
Turning her dark eyes to the prince, the woman offered him a smile, "Hello Prince."
Cringe.
Squall forced himself to nod. Rinoa was one of the people who had never gotten over the idea of not calling him prince or highness or something along those lines. He found the girl to be quite all right, pretty, although a bit childish-
A giggle interrupted his thoughts.
Okay, amend that- very childish.
She did not study at Balamb; in fact, she was one of the ladies in the Court of Galabadia. Despite the enmities between the two kingdoms, she and Seifer had been dating for a while. So more often than not, one could find her in the visitor wing of the Garden or visiting Esthar's court.
Rinoa was not bad, however if she was here it usual meant—
"Hello Squall. Seifer," A woman with black hair and dark purple eye shadow sat on Squall's side leaning back.
Lulu was one of the only women who studied at the garden, she specialised in magic, and with her fighting skills, and she could give most of the others a run for their money. The prince had to admit to being slightly intimidated by her attitude. But he never said anything, after all his attitude left much to be desired of him.
"GUYS!"
Ah. Yes, hyperactivity-ness incarnate had just arrived.
Rikku.
Lady Rinoa's travelling companion.
She took a seat next to Lulu, the stern woman who was Rinoa's companion within the Balamb garden.
Lulu called it babysitting.
Squall paused watching the group. Seifer and Rinoa talking animatedly about something, while Lulu yawned from time to time. Rikku turned to him—
'Here we go....' The prince sighed.
"How are you doing Prince? It's been ages since I've seen you..." Rikku started excitedly.
Part of the prince couldn't help but be appreciative of Rikku's attempts to be nice to him; most people had given up rather quickly. Rinoa tried because he was Seifer's friend... but Rikku had no real reason.
"I've been fine."
Silence.
Oh? So Rikku was not too talkative today? That was something new.
He wanted to say something... but instead he shrugged a little turning to the conversation between Seifer and Rinoa.
"You guys will be graduating soon, right?" Rinoa glanced at Squall, noticing that he had joined their conversation.
Seifer nodded, "Yep, one week's time, it'll be great."
No, it wouldn't. Squall had no desire to return to Esthar.
Though...
"You don't want to go back?" his friend asked regarding him behind his jaded green eyes.
Shrugging the prince replied, "There are good and bad things."
"You're worrying too much about the bad things." Seifer nodded, his hand holding that of Lady Rinoa.
An aura of uncomfortable silence along with gloom settled.
Glancing apprehensively between the two men, Rinoa rose, "Guess we should leave you boys for a chat?" she suggested with a playful wink.
Chuckling slightly Seifer nodded, "But I'll see you in the afternoon, we can take a walk in town or something."
Satisfied with that suggestion Rinoa nodded then exited along with her escorts. Rikku who waved cheerfully and Lulu who just... nodded.
Slapping him on the shoulder Seifer laughed, "Come off it highness," he teased, "Your gloom is scaring everyone away."
When Squall didn't reply he turned serious, "I mean it Squall, just enjoy the moment."
"Who knows, tomorrow you might have to be king!"
Hyne forbid.
Cringing again, the prince nodded.
But then again tomorrow could be more promising, right?
Hardly... tomorrow would just drawn him closer to what would be his unavoidable fate.
End of Act 1
Notes: About the Seifer and Rinoa part... I dunno. It just seemed fitting for the moment. Still... sorry to disappoint any Rinoa fans or SquallxRinoa fans but she won't play a major part in the story... nor will that pairing. I wanted to try something different... so please give it a chance; you might like it in the end. gives big puppy eyes
Please read and review throws candy at readers