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~ Chapter Two: When Carbuncle Collides ~
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Somehow, and I'm not sure how, Squall and I had managed to get the last of the glassware out before everyone showed up. Maybe I should be thankful for his anal retentive cabinet organization system; it actually came in handy after the punch bowl incident. You would think I'd know where everything was by now, but again, this was only a once a year event and each year I wanted to add 'just one more touch.' Of course, with each new 'addition' came another silent eye roll behind my back, but that's all right, I love him for it. I know he's doing it, he's not that sly.
"Hey Squall, where, when, did you get all this stuff anyhow?" I asked not really sure why. I mean, six years ago he only owned one set of silverware. I think the fact that my boyfriend owns three gravy boats is extremely unsettling, more for me than him.
"Commander's Day gifts," he answered completely monotone as if it was the most obvious answer in the entire world.
He then placed a pair of matching crystal salt and pepper shakers in the center of the table. Where did he get those? I mean... where! I have cardboard ones and those little packets I've taken, I mean borrowed, from the cafeteria... but you didn't hear that, okay?
"You're kidding me, right?" I asked looking up at him. He smiled as someone knocked at the door. Leaning down, he gave me a quick kiss on the lips. I do hope he was kidding about Commander's Day.
I inhaled deeply taking in all of the surroundings - the apartment looked just amazing. It was the moments between twilight and the anticipation of night that the Christmas lights seemed the most magical; this was always the best time to me. His tree was simple, true. I was the one who picked it out, put it up, decorated it, and everything else, surprised? The tiny white lights sparkled like vibrant fireflies and for a moment, I felt transported into another world.
I really did love his place. I'm not sure if I ever told him that in so many words. It always had a homey but elegant quality, and again, the best built-in storage space anybody could possibly imagine. Oh, back to the decorating, I'm not saying he didn't help, but the fact is he works extremely long hours and they usually keep him from doing more mundane things like the decorating. He did give permission for me to come in and set up the tree and garlands. Of course, I was more than willing to do it.
There was a knock at the door and I felt glad for the distraction. I don't want to start worrying about tonight or taking things too seriously. I just wanted to have fun and not get caught up in formalities and pretenses. I knew none of my friends cared, but for some reason, I just can't shake it. I really need to get over this.
Squall answered the door, being the closer between the two of us. He actually seemed sincere as he greeted his guest. That was one thing that had changed over the years, nothing really seemed forced. If he didn't want to do something, you will know it, trust me.
"Quistis!" I went over when I saw her walking through the entranceway. I was trying to be the polite hostess and offer my assistance reaching for the Crockpot in her hands. You would think that I haven't seen her for days, instead of at lunchtime, but still I'm so excited. I just love Christmas Eve - there is something so magical in the air, something that defies explanation.
"Thank you Rin, do you have any more room in the kitchen for that?"
"She cooked." I noticed how my boyfriend tried to nonchalantly state that fact as he took a sip of wine from his glass.
"Ahh... that's... nice."
"Not meat or poultry," Squall added as if in understanding Quistis' unspoken concern about some possible undercooked or diseased dish. He had the audacity to take another sip without even looking at me!
Gah! I am not sure how my cooking became the big joke of the entire group. I wish they'd fixate on something else for the evening. I was about to come back with some extremely witty retort when someone else knocked, or rather pounded, on the door.
This only meant one thing - Zell.
The next few minutes followed the traditional pattern when guests arrived at a dinner party. Quistis and I set out the remainder of the hors d'oeuvre as everyone talked and laughed at nothing in particular. Even Squall seemed to be having a good time, which he usually did on Christmas Eve... I don't know how much of this was for him, or how much of it was for me. One of these days maybe I would find out, but right now, I was thankful for what I had. It was still just the four of us there and we were casually standing around waiting for the last two members of the gang to arrive.
Irvine and Selphie – now what can I say about those two?
First, you must understand they are usually fashionably late. That is well... just them. It's not on purpose, just more the casual ebb and flow of their lives – Wait, I must note, I mean that only applies to their non-military lives. Second, well, it's my personal opinion that Selphie gets easily distracted. (Remember being the first through the door like Angelo theory, multiply that times ten. It's not a bad thing, it's a Selphie thing.) Lastly, those two were the first of 'our group' to be married. I know it was rather shocking. Honestly... it was to everyone, but in all truthfulness, it has worked out fantastically and I'm so very glad. Yes, sometimes it is difficult for me to think about, I'll admit. But again, they are them, and Squall and I are... us - and some things are just meant to be that way.
This will be their second Christmas as husband and wife. Last year, as a group, we told them we didn't want them to feel obligated to spend the evening with us. As each year passes we're all growing older and we understand that change is inevitable. As much as we might want it to stay the same, it can't. We understood they needed to start their own traditions. Yet, they emphatically stated that we are their family - time and circumstances will never change that and they would continue to spend Christmas Eve with us. Just for the simple fact that it was their tradition, to be with their family.
That meant so much to me.
And as if on cue, there was a knocking at the door. I guess in a way, I'm glad that they didn't change, that some things stayed the same in this world where everything was always so unpredictable. Though, when the door opened, I was actually surprised to see Irvine enter first. He did appear to have ungodly amounts of food stacked in his hands. Apparently, Selphie had found it necessary to cook one 'slab' of every major meat group.
Zell shall be pleased – very pleased indeed.
Next, Selphie bounded in the door wearing an insane amount of yellow. Sometimes I wondered where she found so many different shades. I mean, was there some underground store in the area, or was this just some grand search off the internet? Who knew... then again, maybe that was one of those questions of the universe better left unanswered.
Then it happened... that unpredictability in my otherwise predictable night.
Two long teal green ears with the tips of dark blue peered from outside the doorframe. It was then I could see the slight glow of a ruby from the dimly lit hallway. I already knew who it was; he had me at the glowing ruby... The hyperactive Guardian Force bounded through the doorway in the same fashion as either Selphie or Angelo would have. However, he became a little more cautious as he moved into the apartment, apparently the GF knew his presence was unknown (and to one - unwanted) to majority of the room's inhabitants.
"Carbuncle! Little green dude, my main man, what's S'up!"
Zell never has had a problem expressing himself.
"What the hell is it doing here?"
And apparently, neither did my boyfriend in this particular situation. Carbuncle sensed Squall's aggravation and jumped behind Selphie's legs sticking his head out, and then slanting his eyes at the commander.
"I'm watching him for the weekend, while Cid and Edea are spending the holiday at Shumi Village." I suddenly felt bad for Selphie as she patted the GF on the head. I knew she was trying so hard. I mean, Squall and Carbuncle didn't exactly have the best compatibility, again enter your cliché of choice here...
Actually, from now on, I think I'll just start saying: 'like Squall and Carbuncle.' I think that comparison pretty much says it all.
"He's a damn GF, can't he take care of himself?"
Selphie gasped covering Carbuncle's long ears as Squall slammed his glass down. I closed my eyes. I wanted to tell my boyfriend it was all right, really, it was just Carbuncle. Sure the GF could be... well him, but it wasn't worth this.
Most importantly, it was Christmas - couldn't Squall just let the hostility go for one night? I really didn't want to be the one to say it. Some things I just wanted him to figure out on his own. If I had to say them, then well... I think it was rather pointless in the first place. I'll give Squall a few minutes to calm down, to let this shock wear off. If anything, like I said earlier, my boyfriend has two sides, they balance each other out. Somewhere that rational side better be ready to kick this one's butt.
"Squall Leonhart! Don't use such language in front of him!" Selphie gasped in horror. I knew Selph was going to take this hard. She had a soft spot for Carbuncle. We all did, except for Commander Difficult.
I'm not even sure where their animosity began. Maybe again, that is one of the many questions I should ask my knight instead of letting it fester under the surface. I have a tendency to do that, then again, so does he. Then, like a dormant volcano that finds new life, our personalities erupt into a firestorm and it's not pretty... for anybody... And somehow, I fear that will happen soon. It's been too long.
...And where do I get these analogies from? I think I need to lay off watching the National Geographic Channel for a while.
It was then that several high-pitched sounds resonated from Carbuncle as his ears pinned downward. He did not look pleased.
"Squall, I think you have just been cussed out in Carbunclese!"
Please Zell, don't egg him on. Just let it rest. I found myself unable to do anything but stand in one spot and smile. I tend to have that habit when I'm nervous or upset, or in this case, both.
"Isn't that about the third language you've been told off in this week, commander?"
Et tu' Irvine? Everyone was lightheartedly laughing about the situation, and even Carbuncle was loosening up a little, maybe there was hope for this yet. Okay, true, it was hard to tell his moods. Instead of body language, it is more or less 'ear language,' you have to watch. Well his ears and that glowing um.. gem thingy lodged in his forehead.
Just never ever... and I mean... ever... let that thing get to a vibrant ruby color, or it is bad. Very bad. Simple enough? Very bad.
"Actually, it's the fourth," Squall corrected taking a step toward me. "It comes with territory."
He stopped and looked down at me for a second. "Hey." Was he really handling the situation this well? Or had someone slipped something into his drink, I vote the latter.
"Hey back," I replied not mentioning a word about our green, vertically challenged, energetic, Guardian visitor.
Moving behind me, he wrapped his arms around my shoulders pulling me back towards him. Still, I found myself facing everyone as we continued talking, but personally, I was much happier this way. Though once when Zell was going on about something, Squall did lean down and do this weird combination between a hiss and a whisper in my ear.
"You know how much I love you... but keep that cretin away from me or I'm putting him in the blender."
Sometimes I just have to bite my tongue and laugh.
I watched as the world distorted through my wine glass, and for a moment, everything around me almost made sense. I don't know why. I guess sometimes even the most unlikely, obscured situations can turn out vividly clear. Again, I was transported back to the moments of my childhood; the memories were as clouded and hazy as the scenery surrounding the alcohol. I smiled setting the glass down on the table, wiping my fingers on the napkin. The dinner had gone well and everyone seemed pleased. They even said my potato casserole turned out eatable. I guess maybe there are such things as Christmas miracles. Though I think that hardly counts on the grander scale, but I will take what I can get these days.
Oddly enough, for the last few hours, Zell and Carbuncle had kept themselves thoroughly entertained. It might just be me, but I honestly think that someday that the martial artist is going to make one great father, though I'm not sure who is going to be the bigger kid - him or the child. All I can tell you is presently him and Carbuncle were actually playing a game of Cribbage. Don't ask me. I'm totally clueless on that one, moreover, I'm clueless as to why Squall owns a Cribbage board in the first place when the guy won't even play checkers. Either way, I personally draw the line at 'Go Fish' as far as competition goes. At first, I was expecting them to play Triple Triad. Carbuncle is a known master of the game, but then I remembered Squall's 'Anti Triple Triad Law' instated three years ago this Christmas Eve. It was immediately established after the famed 'Irvine vs. Zell' fiasco. It's legendary among Garden. Those two are still waiting their turn in mediation to argue their version of the events.
Up until this point, it had been a typical Christmas Eve, well as typical as you can get with Carbuncle and Selphie making a fort out of the cheese squares during dessert. It was then that the telephone rang. I looked over to Squall who apparently shared the same apprehension as I did. He glanced back at me and I tried to give him a reassuring smile. Maybe we had just been together too long, or could just sense each other's uneasiness, but something about the phone ringing at that moment didn't sit well with either one of us.
I watched in silence as he picked up the receiver; I think I'd forgotten to breathe the last few seconds. I'm not sure what I was envisioning. I mean, everyone I basically knew and loved was already standing in the room with me. In my mind, I knew they were safe, but still, when your boyfriend is the Commander of SeeD, each time the telephone rings it brings on a new set of fears.
I strained to listen to his words. He was talking softly, which from that action alone, I knew something had to be amiss. That was one of those subtle nuances I'd picked up on the longer we had been together.
"Selphie, there's someone on the line for you from Trabia."
Squall never did have the best poker face once you knew how to read him. He gave her a faint smile as he handed her the phone. That right there showed his cards to me, but God, I hoped for this hand to play out for the best. At least I had a better idea what was going on, though now I feared the worse for Selphie.
I watched helplessly as she paced back and forth twisting the phone cord in her fingers. Squall turned to me without saying a word. As a 'Garden Outsider' I knew that this was one of those moments where as commander he couldn't officially say anything, but as a boyfriend he wanted to let me know. I knew his inner conflict, he went through this often. I never wanted his duty to come between us, though it did on many occasions. I just wish he knew that I understood. So instead of waiting for him to come to me, I met him halfway, wrapping my arms around his waist whispering, 'it's all right.' To which he replied, 'It will be.'
A few moments later, Selphie hung up the receiver. I looked back noticing Irvine was holding her tightly in his arms. I'm not even sure when she told Irvine, or if he had just overheard, but somehow he already knew... Truly those two were an amazing couple.
"Guys, Selphie's best friend from Trabia was injured returning from a mission. Lauren didn't want to call us, but one of their mutual friends thought Selphie would want to know. The doctors said they think she'll make it, we're going to head up there tonight."
I guess try as any of us might nobody could escape the dangers in our everyday lives, even on Christmas Eve. Still, I didn't want to think about the worst. I had to remain positive. I mean, right now, Selphie was actually smiling - though I knew a lot of that was for show. That was part of her natural personality and we all loved her for it – she wouldn't be Selphie without it.
"Oh no, Carbuncle! I can't take him with me."
"Selphie, I'd love to watch him, but tomorrow a few students and I have our yearly volunteer work at the shelter. I think it would be extremely difficult."
"It's okay Quistis... I understand."
"I uhh... don't... can't..." You know, Zell seemed... well kinda of 'off' even for Zell. Though that's not saying much given the situation, I guess. "I have a thing to do with Ma tomorrow. Yeah. Sorry Selph."
"It's okay. I know you get together with your family on Christmas Day."
"Selph, I can watch him, just get your stuff together, all right?"
"Rin, are you sure?"
"Positive... don't even think twice about it, please. You're family to me and this is honestly nothing, I promise."
"You're a life saver, thank you! I will sooo owe you one."
"It's not a problem at all. You care take of Angelo for me all the time." I replied motioning to my dog - who was oblivious to the world curled up by the fireplace. Seriously, a flock of Chocobos could have walked by and she wouldn't have cared right now. I think she was getting soft in her old age of seven.
You know, maybe it was my imagination, but for a second I almost thought I felt Squall's body tense next to me. He had been extremely quiet the last few moments. I don't mean "Squall Quiet" - rather, really quiet, beyond all acceptable limitations of his norm. Maybe I should have asked him first, but it was just Carbuncle, how much trouble could he be?
Then again, I was supposed to stay with Squall tonight in his apartment; looking back the polite thing would have been to ask him... Oh damn, he's not going to like this, not one bit. But it's Christmas Eve and he can get over it. He's going to have to... no, this wasn't as planned, but that doesn't take away from anything. I just hope Selphie's friend will be all right. I know how close they'd been during Selphie's years in Trabia - and friends and family are what the holidays are all about.
"Be safe."
I was surprised to hear Squall say the words to Irvine, as he offered his hand to his friend. Part of me felt a wave of relief; my boyfriend could honestly surprise me sometimes. He knew this was important to me and learning to adapt to the challenges life threw at him was making him a stronger person. Yeah, okay, that was the speech I was going to give him a little later, hope it sounded good... Right now, I was just thankful that he was being civil towards our guests before he ended drop kicking Carbuncle off of the balcony... that would come later. I was positive.
Irvine nodded smiling and promised, "I won't let anything happen to Selph. Thanks again for watching Carbuncle. He can be a handful. Plus with your prior... um... 'relationship'... this means a lot."
Irvine let out a chuckle. Even under the circumstances, everybody in the room found time to laugh. I saw the look of panic cross Squall's face. Ah yes, the Carbuncle incident – ranks right up there with the Triple Triad card game, but that is another story, honestly it really is. Thank you Irvine for bringing up those painful memories, have any open wounds you want to pour some salt into while you're at it?
This was going to be a long night…
