Disclaimer - Do I look like Square Enix?! No?? then I guess I don't own the game or anything in it… although after my plans for world domination are carried out, well, we'll have to see!!! Evil laugh
"Live your dreams,
It's not as hard as it may seem,
You've got to work to get the dream,
On your hopes you must lean,
From your fears,
You have to wean yourself,
It's all or nothing
Give your everything." - Live Your Dreams; Save The Last Dance
1. Tempus es iocundum. (Now is the Joyful Time)
Squall awoke to the sound of someone knocking softly on his door. He groaned as he looked over at his alarm clock. At this time on a Sunday morning, the only person knocking on his door would be Selphie, and no way was he awake enough yet to have her bouncing around him. With that in mind, he didn't get up, he could always catch her later, or, most likely, she'd corner him somehow.
He smiled briefly as he watched Rinoa sleeping peacefully at his side. She looked more like an angel than ever when she was asleep, giving no hint of the powers she had… well, those that she'd inherited from Edea, the previous sorceress anyhow. The power she had over Squall could be plainly seen whenever they were together, (as Irvine took great pleasure in pointing out) even in sleep, when he'd hold her lovingly in his arms, her head resting on his chest, keeping her safe, although he knew nowadays, he'd have a hard time protecting her from anything she couldn't take care of herself.
Since Ultemecia's defeat about nine months ago, everyday life in Balamb Garden had changed dramatically. For a start, it was much, much busier, since it was now the only SeeD training academy. Trabia Garden had proved to be too difficult to re-build after the missile attack, and there was barely any of the staff to run the place. The decision had been made to close down Galbadia Garden, as it was felt by senior personnel that it would be easier if all SeeDs and cadets were based on one site, but many felt the main reason for the amalgamation of the academies had been the now-famous 'Battle Of The Gardens'. The changes had meant the major re-organisation of Balamb Garden – the entire island of Balamb was virtually unrecognisable, as so many new buildings had been added the Academy had pretty much taken over the entire area once known as Alcaud Plains, in fact, the Fire Cavern, a well-known area on the island was now just one part of the base's vast Training Centre. In order to cater for the huge numbers of people now living on-site, a new cafeteria, library, garage and walk-in Treatment/Medical Centre had been built, and the new dorms occupied three whole buildings. In addition, the SeeD base was building it's own private harbour on the Rinauld coastline, as well as a launch pad and hangar for the new fleet of Ragnarok-style craft SeeD was planning to use as the primary method of transportation.
Maybe the biggest changes had been in the people living in the garden. Squall was well aware of how much he'd changed in the past year, 'And it's all your fault (!)' he thought, looking at Rinoa's still-sleeping form. Although he wasn't the only one to have been changed by the events of the past year or so.
Irvine had settled down a lot, due mostly, it had to be said, to Selphie. He hadn't really had much choice, at least as far as his womanising habits were concerned, because Selphie "wasn't up for that" as Irvine himself put it. In fact, she'd blown her top once when she caught him 'staring' at another attractive SeeD, and he'd been sporting the bruises from Selphie's Strange Vision for weeks! They were now a 'couple', and very happy to be so.
Quistis had regained her instructor's license, so was kept very busy, spending most of her free time in the training centre, or coming up with new lesson plans. She had been away for the past few days, examining cadets in the last batch of SeeD field exams.
Selphie had been busy, keeping Irvine wrapped tightly round her little finger, carrying out normal peacekeeping missions as a SeeD (much to Irvine's annoyance – he'd much rather preferred if she'd applied for an Instructorship, like Quistis, and as Rinoa was planning to, as soon as she became a qualified SeeD, but, as usual, 'Sefie' as he called her pretty much all his life, (especially when he wanted his own way!!) had got her own way.). She'd also been busy, pestering all the new Balamb residents about the upcoming Garden Festival, which she was CERTAIN would happen this year. Her plans were all finished, now all she needed was a group of people to help her make it happen. All the six had offered to help, even if it was just so they could get a moments peace!
Squall chuckled softly, as he remembered Selphie's indignation at Irvine's suggestion to become an instructor. She couldn't believe that he wouldn't like her going on missions without him, because he'd worry about her until the moment she'd return safely.
Squall understood what he meant, he'd be exactly the same if Rinoa became a SeeD and wanted to become part of the mission squad. Even when they were fighting together in the training centre, he'd keep checking she was all right frequently, although he'd never admit it. Mainly because he wouldn't want Rinoa to challenge him to a duel, so she could prove her capabilities once and for all, as Selphie had… She'd pretty much destroyed Irvine's favourite rifle, 'well, it had been his favourite rifle, anyway!'
Rinoa opened her eyes at the sound of his laughter.
"Good morning" he said, smiling down at her. She rolled over, trying to hide under the duvet. Rinoa definitely WASN'T a morning person, in any sense of the word.
"Ugh. What time is it?" she asked sleepily, cuddling into Squall's arms for a hug. She let out a yell, startling Angelo, who slept at the foot of the bed, as always, as she caught sight of the alarm clock on the bedside table.
"Oh HYNE!!! I said I'd meet Edea in the Cafeteria in five minutes!!" she cried, extricating herself from Squall's embrace, much to his annoyance. She dashed into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and then, coming back into the bedroom, grabbed the first clothes that came to hand after opening the wardrobe doors. She smiled and blew a kiss at Squall as she disappeared back into the bathroom and shut the door. Sighing, Squall swung his legs so his feet rested on the floor, then stood up, stretching. He Walked into the kitchen, as he did so, he heard the shower being turned off.
"I've put the kettle on… do you want anything?" he called. No answer. "RINOA!" louder this time.
The bathroom door opened.
"Yes?" she asked, pulling on the detachable sleeves of her powder blue cardigan. Then, in response to his question, she replied "Oh, erm, no thanks, I'll grab something in the cafeteria with Edea… speaking of which" she replied, smiling, "I'm late enough as it is! Gotta dash!! 'Bye Squall!" and after a quick kiss on the cheek, she was gone, leaving Squall to get ready to meet Zell for a training session later that day.
Rinoa flew down the corridor, her cardigan flying out behind her, as she ran down the corridors into the elevator. She pushed the button for the ground floor, and leaned against the railing, catching her breath. 'Hope she's not been waiting long' she thought, 'I wish I knew a good transport spell… Wonder if Edea knows any?'
She'd been spending quite a lot of time with the elder woman since she'd helped to defeat Ultemecia. As an ex-sorceress, Rinoa thought, quite correctly, she'd be able to help the younger woman learn to use and get used to her powers. 'After all,' she reasoned, 'they were once her powers!'
Upon exiting the lift, she spotted a familiar dark-haired figure.
"EDEA!!!" she yelled, causing several people in the main area of garden to flinch. The elder woman, who was standing talking to Selphie turned, smiled as she caught sight of Rinoa, and waved her over.
It came as no surprise to Rinoa to find, as she drew closer to the others that they had been talking about the upcoming festival and how the preparations were proceeding. Over the past month or so, ever since she had received permission to hold it, she had done nothing but think of her plans, indeed, as Irvine put it, "she eats, sleeps, she even breathes that damn festival!! It's the first thing she thinks of it first thing in the morning, and it's her last thought at night…believe me, I KNOW!"
'Hey Rinoa' Selphie greeted her friend as she joined the group. "You're up early, I knocked for you and Squall earlier, but no-one answered. Hope I wasn't interrupting anything…" she finished, grinning. Out of all of them, on first glance, Selphie appeared to be the one least affected by the events of the past year. She was still the bubbly, capricious young woman she had been from childhood, although she was a little bit more mature nowadays, but only when she had to be. That was one of the main reasons why she'd managed to coerce so many people to help with the festival; she was so friendly to just about anyone, people felt bad if they said 'no' to her.
Still smiling, she bid the others goodbye, after arranging to travel to the orphanage later that week with Quistis and Zell, saying she had to 'go find that pesky cowboy o'mine'
Edea and Rinoa greeted each other warmly.
"Shall we?" the ex-sorceress asked, gesturing towards the cafeteria. Rinoa assented, and they walked off together.
A/N: I know it's not much as yet, but I'll do the next chapter over the next couple of days, hoky days??