Okay. I haven't written fan fictions in a long while so this is a big come back. So if there's anything that I need fixing on please tell me. This is a Squinoa... Um yeah... I don't own Final Fantasy VIII... Um... Yeah...
Summary: Rinoa was never really a gamer but somehow she gets wrapped up with them by shear accident and guilt. Set at a gaming convention for the game 'Last Magic' she'll learn that friends can come from all different sorts of people.
"Mom, do you really have to do this?" Rinoa sighed, maker her mother giggle. It was a perfectly sunny day outsides and it seemed like only she noticed this. Yet, they were driving to a gaming convention.
"Rinoa, dear. You agreed to come because your father couldn't this time." Rinoa opened her mouth to speak but her mother continued. "Besides, it's not like there won't be other teenagers there. It's just a convention." Rinoa sighed at her mother's optimism. Ever since she was hired to record the theme song for the newest release of Last Magic, she's been invited to many conventions. Normally her father would be the one to accompany her mother. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to get time off his government job for this one since it was last minute so Rinoa volunteered. She was happy to get some time with her mom during her college years. But going to a gaming convention just seemed ridiculous to her.
'Well, it's not like it'll last forever. It's just a weekend.' Rinoa thought as the scenery flashed past. "The convention's in Balamb, right?" She asked breaking the silence.
Her mother just nodded. "But your father said you should stay nearby so I'm going to restrict it to just the convention center and the hotel. That should be enough for you to explore everything. Besides, you may like it." Rinoa just shrugged at the prospect of her really enjoying herself. At least she wasn't going to be extremely bored… well, maybe.
Rinoa handed the bellhop their luggage as her mother checked in. She was surprised that they weren't mobbed when they got out of the car. 'I guess they don't realize that Julia Caraway is among them. Or that she's even here.' Rinoa thought as she looked at all the dressed up fans. Her mother waved over at her from the front desk and pointed to the elevator. She walked into the elevator and held it open for her mother and the bellhop. Taking one last glance at dressed up fans, she let the door close.
"They're an interesting sight huh?" Her mother said as the elevator opened to the third floor. "Your father wondered if you'd be like that if you ever came with me. But I think you two think a lot a like." She gave a small laugh at the at the end of her statement. Rinoa never enjoyed being compared to her father at all. Saying she hated the man was a little much but it was close enough to what she felt towards him that she didn't care. The only reason she came with her mother to the convention was so her mother wouldn't be by herself facing all the fans.
"We just disagree…" Rinoa stated as she grabbed the bags from the bellhop. Her mother tipped the man for his help before closing the door.
"I know." Her mother replied, "But I have a busy schedule today and tomorrow. So we won't get to spend too much time together until Sunday. Is that alright dear?" Julia was afraid Rinoa would sulk throughout the whole weekend because of her.
"Nah, that's fine mom. I'm sure I can find someone to talk to in the convention who hasn't lost their brain to video games." Rinoa laughed. Her mother couldn't help but try and stifle a laugh as she reached for a large yellow envelope from her purse.
"Well, if you're going to run around I would suggest you wear this." She said as she passed Rinoa a laminated badge. On the front there was a picture of the new game's design art and on the back was her name and the words 'Exclusive Pass' on the back. Below her name there was also a barcode, which Rinoa pointed to it in a questioning glance to her mother. "It's something they just came up with for the exclusive passes. It's for getting into some of the special events. So they know you're certified." She pulled out her own badge and put it on a lanyard.
Rinoa just shrugged as clipped it to the bottom of her shirt. "Alright. I guess I'll see you for dinner tonight. Want me to call and see when we should meet up?"
Her mother gave her a nod, "Sure dear. I'll answer even if I'm in the middle of a panel. And don't forget you'll be with on Saturday night to judge the Masquerade!" Julia called as Rinoa headed out the room. There was a 'Mhmm' reply and the door closed.
Rinoa hummed to herself as the elevator went down. This was going to be a long weekend and she knew it. The elevator doors opened to the hotel lobby and a heated argument in the middle. 'Great. The crazies are already going to get kicked out.' She thought as she stepped out of the elevator.
"We've rehearsed this for ages! You can't just quit on us!" A girl with brown curled out hair yelled to another who was walking away. The other girl just continued walking towards the door. "Quistis!! Don something! You're the president!" She exclaimed turning towards a blonde with tied back hair. The woman named Quistis looked sternly at both girls from behind her glasses. She gave a small sigh and set her hand on the enraged girl's shoulder.
"Selphie, there's nothing I can do. Maya doesn't wish to do the skit anymore and if she quits I can't stop her. It's her decision." It was not the reaction Selphie was looking for as the other girl just walked out the double doors to the hotel.
"But without her we can't participate in the Masquerade." Selphie sulked, sitting on one of the hotel's couches. A man in a cowboy hat with his light brown hair tied back sat next to her. Rinoa thought of him as kind of cute if his long hair didn't make him look so feminine.
"Cheer up Selph. Maybe we can tweak the script so we don't have to include Maya's part anymore." He suggested more to Quistis than Selphie. He set a comforting arm around Selphie, who muttered something making him give Quistis an even more pleading look.
Quistis sighed, "I don't know how much we can do Irvine. Maya played Angel. We can't just cut out the main character of a game." She explained rubbing her temples. Selphie gave an even bigger downcast sigh.
Looking at the trio, Rinoa felt a bit bad for them. Sure she wasn't big on video games but she could relate when someone quit unexpectedly. She suddenly felt like she was intruding and shook her head clear. She took one last look at the trio and walked away. Right into someone. "Oh! I'm sorry! I should have looked at where I was going." She didn't get a good look at the man as he just continued walking away. For some reason, his lack of response struck a nerve. "Hey!" She cried out to the rude man, getting glances from everyone in the lobby. Rinoa stormed over to the guy, poking him in the chest, "You can at least say it's okay after I said I'm sorry! It's only polite!" She huffed at him.
Rinoa didn't notice but there was an exchange of glances between the trio and the man. Quistis quickly walked over with Selphie and Irvine following close behind. Quistis cleared her throat, "Excuse me miss. I was wondering if you could help us with a small dilemma." She said from behind Rinoa.
"Um… Okay?" Rinoa answered as she spun around to the trio. There was a big smile on Selphie and Irvine's faces as her own fell. 'What did I just say?'
What do you think? Too long? Too short? I plead for feedback and I hoped you enjoyed the story so far!