A/N: FFVIII and its characters are property of Square-Enix. This piece is an experiment; a result of missing Final Fantasy, too much Hachikuro and too much time. Criticism appreciated.
w a l t z
The first beat
…is a strong, solid thud.
Selphie is wearing Irvine's hat and pointing excitedly at Squall and Rinoa at the balcony but alas, the video-camera runs out of batteries.
"I think Rinoa's really lucky," Selphie muses, pouting slightly as Irvine steers her away. "I think… I think any girl would fall in love with Squall."
The second beat
…cha…
"…Why?"
"Well… he's handsome and dark and mysterious and girls are suckers for that. He keeps stuff to himself but whatever does come out of his mouth is totally honest, you know? Not like people who always disguise their feelings, or say one thing and mean another…
"...You don't have to know Squall long to know that he's actually soft and squishy and sweet."
Irvine asks, "So… have you?"
The third beat
…cha.
Selphie twitches slightly but it's as though she's jumped a mile. "Eh?" Cheery, unwitting laughter, slightly on the shaky side; "No… no. What are you thinking, Irvy?"
She is suddenly insecure, fidgeting, twisting a hat, wringing a heart.
"...You wanna dance, Irvy? I like this song… Hey, what's wrong? Not feeling well? Painful somewhere?"
Yeah. "No… no. Not at all."
d a n c i n g goes on