-o-o-
Sandcastles -
Act II
-o-O-o-
Regret is often something that cannot be controlled - an emotion rooted in the past, but thrives in the present.
To say she didn't look back, to say she didn't wish things were different, wouldn't be the truth. Rinoa Leonhart appreciated everything that she had, but she was only human. Squall still worked late nights and when she woke up alone, in the dark (…always in the dark) she had too much time to herself, too many regrets resting beside her. In those moments, she wished for one last glimpse of him, one first glimpse of Skyler – just one last memory that was based in sight.
There was no doubt that she could still 'see' a sunset, but it had been twelve years since she'd used her eyes to witness one. No matter how beautiful it was to use her senses – and by the grace of nature, life was beautiful - there were certain sights that couldn't be achieved through her senses. Instead, they lived on only in her mind.
It was only in memories that she relived pastimes or followed the path of a firefly, traced the path of a shooting star. It felt like forever ago that she'd read, unaided, the ingredients of a recipe. It wasn't like she'd ever been an amazing cook, quite the contrary, but she'd possessed the desire to learn, even after many failed attempts and false fire alarms…and one not-so-false alarm.
Those were the little things – little details that made up her life.
She cherished each of those memories, thankful that she had them at all, but memories never stopped the regret… As time went on, as days passed, the regrets had grown, but she'd bottled them inside – too thankful for everything she had to admit these things to anyone.
-o-O-o-
Rinoa leaned against the wall for support, still feeling under the weather. She really needed to be resting before Skyler's party, but she lived for these moments. They made everything feel…right.
"Dad, can I ask you something?"
She knew that Squall had been so focused on baking that he'd missed the hesitation in Skyler's voice. She caught it; she always caught it. Rinoa had no idea how much her daughter's words would affect her or how they'd become the precursor to something that changed all their lives.
Rinoa smiled, amused by her husband. Even after twelve years, he found the most unconventional ways to surprise her. Like the fact that no matter how brilliant Squall was at multitasking at work or during battle - there was a line. Today that line had been drawn, and then crossed, by his newest nemesis. It was that highly feared combination of a child's determination to ask many, many questions coupled with his latest mission, commanding the charge on baking birthday cupcakes. Thankfully, that deadly combination was information that Ultimecia was never privy to. If the final battle had consisted of a myriad of question and baking cupcakes, well, there'd be a fairly good chance time would currently be compressed.
Still, Rinoa felt bad, not just physically, but because her husband was quickly becoming defeated in his baking quest, "Go ahead…as long as it doesn't involve making you anything else edible or edible-like."
"Edible-like?" The little girl giggled. "It's you cooking. Nobody would be crazy enough to ask for that!"
"I'm hurt," he responded unconvincingly.
His words had been followed by a series of thumps and a single 'clang' that echoed throughout the apartment. Skyler's boisterous laughter filled the air, followed closely by soft traces of her husband's delayed amusement – a rather indicative sign that in the battle of Squall versus cupcakes, the baked goods currently had the upper hand.
The casualties were confirmed with Squall's next words. "Well, since that batch is now your birthday donation to the seagulls flying around the Quad, ask your question before we start that tray from scratch. Joy."
His enthusiasm betrayed him and Rinoa honestly felt bad. Garden's Headmaster was so out of his element baking nearly six dozen cupcakes, but Rinoa knew she wouldn't be a help in the kitchen; she'd merely feel like an even bigger hindrance than normal. No matter how much Skyler wanted to use Uncle Laguna's recipe, if this continued, maybe Rinoa would take on the role of party-pooper and suggest running to a store in Balamb.
Honestly, she should've left, but listening to her family was like an invisible tether. At that point, Rinoa could tell that Skyler jumped onto the counter – knowingly to Squall's dismay. There was a very distinct sound to it - her jumping, her feet colliding with the wooden panels, her palms sliding against the marble-topped island and, most specifically, the slight 'oomph' she'd let out after she'd pulled herself up.
Rinoa thought Skyler's sitting on the counter was sweet; Squall…was much less impressed.
This had been a longstanding battle that Squall originally had fallen on the 'wrong side' of, constantly reprimanding his daughter to get down. Then one night as they were all cooking dinner, Squall grumbled something along the lines of, "the only rumps he wanted on the countertop were those attached to a roast." That night in bed Rinoa pointed out that they'd broken that rule long before Skyler was born - going as far as saying that might've been why she was born. It was an argument that left him speechless, thereby effectively ending any further complaints. Sure, it still bothered him and, yes, she believed that maybe he'd given in a little too easily. After his divorce, Irvine once told them to wisely 'pick and choose your battles' when it came to both marriage and kids. Rinoa had a fairly good inclination that's advice her husband was following.
Still, Rinoa thought it was cute that Skyler was one of the very few who could defy Balamb Garden's Headmaster and not end up meeting the disciplinary committee up close and personal.
"Um…" Skyler began before stopping. This time, Rinoa could feel her daughter's uncertainty; she prayed that Squall caught it too. "Has mom ever asked about what I look like? Sometimes I…well, it's just that…I sorta think maybe she thinks I'm kind look like a boy because I always seem to hang around them…I mean would she think I'm pretty, you know? I wonder if I look like her…I mean at my age, not really old like she is now." Pausing, her voice cracked as she forced the words, "Do you think she tries to picture me?"
A dense silence filled the air, easily outweighing one of Balamb's notorious morning fogs. In an instant Rinoa's mouth became parched as she closed her eyes to a point of physical pain. How would Squall answer? It was a delicate subject and, although Squall was an amazing father and husband, sometimes expressing himself and handling emotions was difficult. Rinoa never faulted him; he'd done so much these past years and between Garden and family, he juggled so much – even with the strongest walls, time would show fissures.
The question itself had been innocent, she hadn't expected it. However, what she didn't expect more was this answer.
"Skyler, you know my answer. I don't care if it is your birthday… it doesn't give you free reign to break the rules. Your mother loves you for who you are and not what you look like. Just like we love her for who she is. This is why we have set boundaries."
"I know but," the little girl tried to defend. "It's just in school we were talking 'gen-attics' and about looking like our parents. I've never even seen pictures of…" Skyler was becoming flustered. "It's just I wondered-"
"Stop it," he cut her off. Rinoa had no idea what was happening. "Skyler Elizabeth Leonhart, if you have to start any sentence out with 'I know but' than you don't know. We've discussed this. We have firm rules in place. This is why you're supposed to think about everything you say from your mother's point of view. What if she heard you say that? How would she feel? Do you understand me?"
"…Yes." It had been difficult, but hearing her daughter agree, it was…. No, there were no words. Skyler's voice was barely above a whisper "…but you don't understand."
Rinoa hadn't been the only one to hear it. She covered her mouth trying to muffle any sobs. If Squall had been upset about a difficult, but innocent set of questions, how would he handle the fact she hadn't let it go?
So far, he was handling it well. "Then what did you mean?"
"…I'm not supposed to talk about it," Skyler answered sniffling, "you just told me that."
She had her parents' stubbornness, nobody could deny that. "Don't play smart with me, Skyler."
Rinoa stood against the wall, not sure what to make of any of this – it wasn't Skyler's question that bothered her, but her husband's response about "boundaries." What boundaries? All these years Skyler never talked her about her blindness, never asked what it was like, how it happened, nothing. Rinoa thought that maybe her daughter had accepted because it's all she'd even known or maybe that she hadn't been old enough to articulate those types of thoughts into words.
…Or maybe both of those things had been lies.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, Rinoa had known something was off, although not to degree of rules or boundaries…because even the youngest child asks questions and speaks their mind. That was natural, nearly six years of silence was not.
Squall and Skyler's exchange had ended as abruptly as it started, although the mood in the kitchen had definitely changed. Rinoa knew that she'd overstayed her welcome, not that she was ever technically welcome to intrude on their conversation.
.
Her head pounded and her body ached as she returned to bed. Rinoa always lay alongside regret, but now so much had been compounded onto already complicated thoughts. She was supposed to sleep, but that wasn't happening; truthfully, sleep had become one of the most inconsistent things since her accident. Normally, even when she did manage, it was emotionally-draining as reality interwove itself into complex dreams. One thing that scared her was she only dreamt of what she'd seen – it was as if her mind refused to fill in the real memories with false images.
Even still, her dreams were fragmented; lately a majority had been glimpses of her life in Deling in the months prior to the accident. It was waiting in the wings before a performance, being submersed in lights, and even her regiment of taping and bathing her feet. Those memories often mixed with the year she'd spent with Squall before their breakup. In her dreams, she was trying to be everyone to be every "Rinoa" all at once – Caraway, Heartilly, and Leonhart.
Mother. Wife. Sorceress. Friend. Forest Owl. Dance partner. Teammate. Girlfriend….
Success. Failure.
Her dreamscape was everything entwined all at once.
Sometimes at night she'd awake with the tears already in her eyes, unable to distinguish dreams from reality. She'd instinctively reach for Squall – sometimes he was there, sometimes she'd only find empty sheets. It was those moments when her mind was still hazy that she was afraid to admit that she's found her own version of Time Compression. No, it wasn't the same. It never could be. She'd never be like Ultimecia, but in those moments – when past and present lived in her simultaneously - scared her more than perpetual darkness.
.
A few hours later, she was a proud mother sharing in her daughter's birthday, keeping the words she'd overheard to herself. She did didn't feel better, actually worse, but that wouldn't stop her from watching the girl as she opened presents. Again, this was one of those things that could never be the same, but listening was still beautiful. Hearing as Skyler removed the ribbons and bows, opened envelops and read cards, and fought against every childhood instinct to tear open presents in a frenzy. Then again, Uncle Zell would argue that desire didn't have an age limit. Rinoa was most amused by the not-so-subtle difference in the girl's tone between receiving clothes or toys – the latter having a distinct excitement level.
Up until now, Rinoa had kept her distance from the guests, but after everyone joined in singing Happy Birthday (yes, even Squall) and Skyler had gone through the traditional blowing out of the candles, Rinoa had to step away. Making her way into the hall, she drew in a feeble breath. It also appeared that her sneaking was less impressive that she thought, although she had an obvious disadvantage in the stealth department. It only took a few moments before Squall walked up.
"Rin, I'm sure everyone will understand. Stop being stubborn, go lay down…don't make me order you. I'll do it."
"I know you will." She appreciated his attempt at humor. "But I'm fine… it's just a lot of emotion all of a sudden."
"Emotional?" His voice betrayed his skepticism. Yes, she might've been sick, but he knew her well enough to know when she was holding back. "Do you want to talk?"
"Not now. Later. I just need, it's that…" she couldn't finish, finding herself grasping for words, just as Skyler had earlier. The next thing she felt was Squall's arms encircling her, pulling her close, and she couldn't help herself, nearly collapsing into him. Neither cared that they weren't exactly being the perfect party hosts - as Rinoa often joked - sometimes even parents needed a 'time out.'
It wasn't illness; it was she perceived as weakness. On a day that was supposed to celebrate, Rinoa felt her limitations…she realized that Squall had tried to protect her. His actions might've been with the best intentions, but they were also misguided. If their daughter couldn't be herself by asking questions, no matter how hard they were to hear, nobody in the family was being true to themselves.
There they stood in the darkened hallway, hiding away from the others, but hiding only lasted so long.
"Hey, wait for me!" A voice yelled from the other room. The two oldest Kinneas boys and Skyler had made their strategic exit from the party, leaving the youngest (aka the sacrificial lamb, Conner) to fend for himself among the 'really-boring adults.'
"Don't be so slow then!" Colton shot back, as they the three impatiently waited in the hall.
Squall had started to move, most likely to give his rather standardized lecture to "Thing 1, 2, and 3" Squall's not-so-endearingnicknames for the Kinneas clan, but Rinoa held on to him, shaking her head into his chest. "Let them go…please."
Taking a deep breath, the headmaster did his best not to go into a full-blown SeeD mode. His wife's request took precedence over his lecture about 'being respectful of other's property.' It was written after the untimely decapitation of Sky's favorite stuffed Chocobo. Thankfully, "Lucky" lived up to his name, surviving reconstructive surgery - even if the poor bird did have a permanently-awkward head tilt…much like Selphie's head Squall pointed out to his wife in confidence.
Unaware of the two adults in the shadows, Cooper asked, "So…whadda wish for? To stop going to that school in Balamb Town and go to a real school like Garden?"
"I like my real school!" Skyler defended her parents' choice vehemently. "Anyway, I can't tell you what I wished for, those are the rules!"
"Cooper, you're such a Blobra-brain, she's right, duh! 'Cause if she tells, then it won't come true," Colton stated all-knowingly. If 'rolling the eyes' had a corresponding tone, Colton had mastered it beautifully.
"It won't come true anyhow…that's why it's a wish." Skyler sounded…helpless. Squall must've caught it too, holding Rinoa tighter.
"Then it won't hurt to tell us," Conner urged, joining the rest of the 'under ten crowd.'
"Maybe she wished for you to stop being e-nnoying." The middle boy said in a tone that conjured the visual imagery of sticking out his tongue. No doubt, not too much of a stretch, Selphie was his mother after all.
"You can't be e-nnoying! It's ah–nnoying!" Colton corrected.
"Stop it. Don't fight with me on Sky's birthday." Cooper turned his attention back toward her. "If it can't come true, why would it hurt to tell?"
The long pause seemed to indicate she was contemplating the boy's words.
"….I wish my mom could see me one time…to know who I really am."
"That's crazy. She doesn't have to see you to know you. Your mom can tell all the important stuff." Again, the oldest one said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, his two brothers then alternated their version of agreement.
Cooper stated the obvious. "Yeah, like she knows that you're a girl."
…And so did Conner. "And have long hair."
"And aren't totally sucky."
"Yeah, Cooper's right, for a girl you're not totally sucky…plus you like cool things like Chocobos, Cactuars, and model cars."
Colton finally jumped back in. "…But you use the cars for your dolls. Yeah, that part is kinda gross, but your mom knows that too. So what else does she need to know about you?"
"Yay, that's what matters, even if you're e-nnoying for a girl." Cooper did one of those fist pumps he'd seen uncle Zell do.
"Thanks." She replied softly, but there was something in her voice.
"Don't cry." Colton put his hand on her shoulder. "See, she knows you. That means your wish came true! Now let's go before your dad finds us. He can be so mean and grumpy."
"And lectures more than Aunt Quistis," Conner piped in. "I didn't know that was possible!"
There was a sense of mutual agreement and urgency as quartet scampered down the hallway.
Out of all the darkness found in those moments, there had been a light of sheer brilliance. Selphie and Irvine's boys had become the sum of their parents; their pep talk to Skyler had been unconventional, but they cared. Like true children of Selphie's, when they weren't focused on destroying things -whether it be a Missile Base or wax candles, they had a unique outlook on life. Of course, neither Squall nor Rinoa wanted to admit the other side of the coin. Like a true child of Irvine, the boys had 'a way' of cheering up Skyler, who happened to be a girl. Squall would let that slide…for now. The last thing the world needed was carbon copies of Irvine; Squall knew there'd be many more lectures in the future.
Although they'd found a positive, it didn't help it in a sea of negative. What Skyler said was difficult for both of them to hear. Rinoa knew that her tears had soaked through Squall's lightweight button-up shirt. As hard as it was to admit, Rinoa mentally conceded that she wasn't in an emotional or physical place to continue tonight. Squall knew this too. She could never repay him for his support, even if he'd gone overboard. He kissed her head, softly whispering for her to go lay down. He'd finish up for the evening, giving everyone her regards. Rinoa knew she was a pathetic mess when Squall Leonhart willingly accepted the role of party host.
Again she went to bed, couldn't slept.
That night Squall asked Quistis and Robert if Skyler could stay over at their place. After all these years he still could feel when something was wrong and the second he opened the bedroom door, Rinoa couldn't hold back. All her compounding emotions came pouring out. It wasn't just Skyler's words, but all the regrets and fears that had been building.
Honesty never went as planned.
She tried to hold herself together, but it became too much. She lashed out when Squall admitted that he'd basically been coaching Skyler from before she could speak. Rinoa felt responsible knowing her own daughter had been censoring part of who she was because she'd been instructed to.
Prior to her husband's rather contrary belief, Rinoa wasn't fragile, nor were her emotions. Yes, she was human, but in some attempt to spare her feelings, their daughter had become collateral damage. And after that it became a two-way street as they put everything on the table. All those things they were afraid to say over the last years suddenly had a voice.
They stayed up all night talking. It wasn't all good, but it wasn't entirely bad because they came to an understanding – one that would be harder on Squall. He'd clung to this ideal of protection for so long, that he was the one that found he needed to learn to let go – history always found a way to repeat itself. The next day was difficult as both sat down with Skyler. Squall admitted to a six-year-old that even parents were human. After Angelo's memorial, this was only the second time that he'd opened up to her. He explained that he'd been wrong, but they'd find a way to grow stronger from the mistakes.
He left for work, having afternoon meetings that he couldn't get out of, but Rinoa was glad. She needed that time with her daughter, no matter how difficult it was. Because it happened - the floodgate had been opened and all the years of questions Skyler had overwhelmed her – from tasting foods to matching socks. Rinoa had heard several of the questions before, but never from her own child.
Later, Squall brought them a late-night treat, a family favorite, Dollet style deep-dish pizza. He'd come home in time for Skyler to bring up her birthday wish. She admitted that she'd always been afraid that her mother couldn't truly love her because she couldn't truly see her. No matter how hard it was for Rinoa to hear, she reminded herself she needed to – it was the only way to put those doubts at rest.
Then Skyler asked something that should've had a simple answer. Should have.
Skyler softy asked, "Do you want to see me?"
That was hard to answer.
Of course she wanted to see her. Rinoa wanted to see everything. Maybe that answer was selfish, but it was the truth. Honestly, no matter how much she'd learned to adjust…there was always the dream of "just one last time."
And now, when she woke up in the middle of the night, she'd add one more regret. It wouldn't be just fireflies, or a shooting star, but it was also be Skyler's wish – to see one last glance, one first glance – of her daughter.
That's why Skyler's question wasn't simple. Would one glance be worth the cost? Would it undo twelve years of darkness and everything she'd built? Rinoa's answer would be as solid as the dark – yes - she'd want to see her daughter and that's exactly what she told her.
…But the darkness doesn't exist without light; without both there would be no contrast – the same held true for good and bad. One glimpse could remind her of her everything she didn't have, and she'd be left with the anger.
That night, Rinoa held on to Squall that night, reflecting on every aspect of her life. However, a bedroom over, Skyler laid in bed thinking of her birthday wish. There was something her father said after Angelo that got her thinking… So, after school she mustered the courage to go to her father's office, something that rarely did. She had to. She couldn't risk her mother overhearing, especially if her dad acted like…well, like her dad could sometimes. The boys were right, he could be…well, a meanie, although she'd never let her parents hear her talk like that. The last thing she remembered before going into the office was the subtle encouragement of her father's assistant, softly wishing her 'good luck.'
Skyler knew that's exactly what she was going to need. Scratch that, not just good luck, but as Grandpa Laguna would say 'great luck!'
-o-o-O-o-o-
Of course, that last part was unknown to Rinoa, but as she sat building a sandcastle on the beach, she wondered if that conversation five months ago led to today. There had been no other plausible explanation as to why after thirty-two years, Squall had drawn a preverbal line in the sand, saying that thirty-three was some magical age where he'd lifted the lifelong ban on celebrating his birthday.
Once everyone arrived, today would also mark the first time in nearly four years that all her closest friends and family found away to get together. Maybe it was because the Squall had this birthday-epiphany and everyone held some unspoken concern about his health. Truthfully, when he said he wanted a party, the thought had briefly crossed her mind, but he assured her otherwise.
It was amazing how everything seemed to fall into place – the planets aligned, the astrological signs were in agreement, and…okay, none of that was true. Still, something happened and it was remarkable, but it had more to do with the time of year. Since it was the end of summer and the kids hadn't gone back to school, it made it easier for a reunion. Selphie, Carl, and the boys took a train from Deling City, while Zell and Alexandra decided to all-too-familiar Galbadia-to-Balamb drive. Even Laguna, Kiros, and Ward flew in from Esthar. Last time most of them had been together was for Alex and Zell's wedding three and half years ago, with a few notable exceptions.
Caraway hadn't gone back then, but oddly even he announced that he'd be showing up at Squall's party. Once Rinoa heard that, she asked again if Squall was sick. He insisted that he wasn't. She then proceeded to ask him about four more times that night…seriously, Fury Caraway was showing up. Ten years of marriage and the relationship between Squall and her father was rather…interesting. Every so often, they'd do this testosterone-finger pointing thing. A few years ago, Rinoa finally figured it out – that was their weird way being…well, not friends, but something like it. It worked for them, just not the rest of normal society.
But besides Caraway, there had been one very important person missing four years ago, one person who they were all grateful to see today…
Ellone.
It had been her story that had become the hardest to tell. After the years of school, internships, and residency, she received her medical degree. Nobody was surprised as Ellone embodied tenacity; her resolve spoke volumes to her character. It was also to nobody's surprised that she'd chosen pediatrics as her specialty, given her penchant for taking care of the orphanage gang. She eventually became part of a small practice outside of Esthar City, but two years later, her life changed.
After becoming engaged, she found that she couldn't conceive children of her own. With extensive testing, a team of doctors and scientists found how far the effects of her 'gift' had gone. She was slowly weakening; her body didn't have the same resistance that a 'proper' sorceress would. Ellone was forced to give up work; her life seemed to be in a state of constant limbo. She and her now-husband were arriving later tonight. Truthfully, everyone was probably more exciting to see her than to see Squall, but he was honestly all right with that.
Rinoa wondered if somewhere in the back of Squall's head he worried that this might be the last time they'd all be together and maybe that's why the sudden change of heart. It was one of those things that had been left unsaid. Rinoa wanted to take this day for everything that it was, rather than dwelling on the 'what ifs.'
Today wasn't about those regrets.
It was about birthdays, celebrations, family, and friends.
…And, it was about the sandcastles.
Scoping out another perfect handful of sand, she placed it into a smaller size bucket. She was ready to begin construction on the outer wall, the point where she needed her assistants. Turning towards the ocean, she wondered where everyone had disappeared too – basically everyone she had conveniently gone AWOL. Maybe it was an overstatement, but if she was the type to be paranoid, she'd think they'd purposely left her behind. Of course they wouldn't leave her, but Squall did say he'd be back in ten minutes - thirty minutes ago. Then again, this wasn't completely unprecedented. When she'd first met him, he'd do the same thing; ironically, that had been done on purpose. He'd admitted later that he'd been unable to come to terms with several things (herself included) and distance was a defense – much like the battlement and outer walls of the castle currently under construction.
She listened in the sea of noise for someone familiar. Most of the sounds she heard were new; she was used to living in the perpetual state of change. She'd come to think that hearing, like all her other senses, was a living entity that constantly changed, shaped by its surroundings.
Then again, the only thing she'd learned over the last twelve years was never expect the expected. All of a sudden she was bombarded by four kids. Honestly, Skyler and the three boys had actually been oddly quiet; they must've planned their attack.
Zell was the first familiar person who spoke. "How's our lead architect?"
"About to be fired, but now that her construction crew showed up, maybe they can save day." Rinoa laughed as Skyler leaned against her back, wrapping her arms around her neck.
"Sandcastle construction…that's the main reason I had kids," Squall chimed in, moving beside her. Even though he acted uninterested, she knew that he'd already started making structural improvements. The imperfections bothered him the most, hence why they'd dubbed him the un-official building inspector of the family.
Squall's words had taken a second to sink in, but once they did, she playfully tapped him on what she hoped was his bicep. "Squall…um, unless there's something you need to tell me, I mean really need to tell me, we only have one child."
As if on cue, Zell started arguing with Conner. "Hey! That's mine, give it back."
"Gotta catch me first."
It wasn't in the martial artist's nature to allow challenges to go un-accepted, so he ran after him.
"Oh." She laughed knowingly. "Wait, since he's married now, doesn't the whole custody thing transfer over to Alex?"
"Apparently, we need to look into that." Squall looked over to the coffee shop across from the beach. He could make out some of the group who had opted for a less sandy afternoon. "Alex is up there with Laguna, maybe they're bonding over child support issues."
Irvine, Selphie, and Carl had the unfortunate timing to walk up during that comment, but wisely decided not to respond. At least Laguna's granddaughter was oblivious to the dig. The relationship between father and son had improved some, but Rinoa knew long ago it would always be strained.
"Be nice," she warned, shaking her head.
"So, can I do the moat!?" Selphie jumped in enthusiastically, expertly changing the subject. "And boys, be nice to Uncle Zell…and get back over here! This is going to be the best sandcastle yet for your collection!"
"Collection?" Carl asked cautiously. The normally reserved man felt out of place with the group, but he did his best to fit in as any outsider would.
Skyler had let go of her mother, doing her part to help. "Yeah, my mother is the Princess of Castles."
In fact, the little girl had envied her mother's prowess so much that she'd proclaimed her "Castle Princess." Rinoa always thought it was funny the difference context made; she'd refuted the term as teenager but, in this case, Rinoa wore it as a badge of honor. The little girl had said it innocently one summer and that little gem of a nickname caught on, never to be let go…thanks to the persistence of Uncle Irvine. Squall, being Squall, had to be difficult, questing how the chain of command worked for sandcastle royalty, apparently upset about being snubbed during the process.
"…Oh, okay." Poor Carl was lost; Rinoa took pity on him, offering a brief explanation.
"Usually when Skyler and Squall are out in the water, I build the basic part of the castles. When they show up on dry land, we finish the rest as a group. Skyler finds sticks and shells and such and is in charge of the aesthetics and landscaping, Squall fixes all my mistakes and moans about being shafted from the title of King."
Never once would Rinoa believe her lot in life would've been building sandcastles, but she wouldn't trade this ability for the world.
"Then we take a picture when it's done. We have a collection at home!" Skyler announced proudly. "I have them all on my bulletin board."
Rinoa shrugged. "It's a tradition we just sort of fell into."
"I didn't know you had pictures on your wall. That's awesome sauce!"
"Yes, Selphie, Awesome Sauce made from sun-ripened Awesomes," Squall droned.
Rinoa knew that he was doing his best to be sociable; once his social circle rose above three people, he often started becoming irritable. Again, she found herself warning him, but this time with a laugh in her voice.
"Be nice."
Still, Rinoa would give him credit for today – this remained an unprecedented step for him. She still couldn't believe that not only agreed to a party, but organized it.
"Yeah, Squall play well with others or we'll stick Rin on you and-" Irvine stopped abruptly. "Hey, I'm going to go grab something to drink."
There was a strange silence among the group. Selphie stood up as Rinoa had heard her brushing the sand from her body. "Oooo, a drink sounds good, come on Carl. Let's go."
"That was weird. Do you have any idea what that was about?"
"No. No I don't." His voice was distant. "Why don't you watch the kids, I'll check it out."
Before Rinoa could protest, she was the sole supervisor of four rather rambunctious construction workers. There was something off about this entire day.
Now, if she could only figure out what that was…