Roses and Wine

Chapter II: The Wedding

Gloomy grey clouds stretched across the northeastern skies, bringing cold winter winds from the snowy slopes of the country, Trabia. But the day was bright and lovely nonetheless, even though rain was said to be in the forecast for the evening. Mixed colors of orange and red leaves swirled around the pristine grey mansion as well as the grassy plains it overlooked as excited guests quickly took their assigned seats and watched carefully as the ring bearer made his appearance atop the prop that was supposed to resemble a miniature stage. His blond hair, gelled to protrude upward like a chocobo's, swayed with the wind and the rest of his hair gelled at the sides to incline downward made the slightest move through the torment of the breeze.

He was quite the short one, compared to Irvine Kinneas' 6'0 and Squall's 5'8. He factored directly in the middle of the men, being shorter than even Quistis. Irvine was the main one to joke about his height and how he stopped growing before everyone else. He'd often jest and wonder what else stopped growing on Zell, and the ring bearer would then reply with an obscene remark he would conjure at the last minute. If he was lucky enough, he would avoid a scolding from Edea who'd always seem to catch him no matter where he was.

Tapping the microphone before him, Zell Dincht spoke with a very wide grin of exhilaration and anticipation. "Alright, ya'll. We have a full house today!" he said, raising both his arms. He then rested them back on the podium. "Well, ya'll know what we're out here for, so calm yourselves until the bride comes. And guys, try to keep your mouths closed," the blond glanced at Irvine who tipped his hat in a chivalrous and charming cowboyish manner. "Alright Cid, this is your big day, all made for you and your soon-to-be wife. But first, I have to get a few words in before the ceremony." As he continued to hold up the commencement of the wedding, Zell reached into his pocket for a slip of paper containing the practiced words of a son showing his appreciation to his caretakers.

"I know Matron's listening over there in the doorway. . . ." he said with a laugh. ". . . Alright, here goes. As an engineer in artillery, I'm living my dream right now. . . ." He suddenly lifted his hands up as if to stop his own words. Closing his pale teal eyes, the twenty-five year old continued his speech. "Now, this ain't no cheesy sentimental crap I made up to make everyone here cry. What I want to say is that I'm thankful to Cid who guided me so that I could reach the profession I wanted. You may not know it, but my job is for you, man." He eyed Cid. His arms were crossed at the base of his stomach and he nodded to Zell, accepting the acknowledgment with a grin. "And to Edea Kramer," now he spoke a bit louder for her to hear, "You were always there when I fell—"

"—of course she was. She had to be around you 24-7, 'cause you were the clumsy one of all." Irvine interjected. He laughed and some followed suit.

"Hey, I didn't mean physically," Zell retorted, his eyes widened with superiority. Irvine shrugged and laughed it off. "Anyway," he continued, "Matron . . . Edea, I want to thank you for taking me under your wings so that I could come this far today, and guiding me away from the bad influences. In honor of you guys, I'll celebrate this day fully and wholeheartedly. Congratulations, Mr. Kramer and Matron!" The blond folded his paper and let the priest replace him on the podium.

Only the sporadic breeze of autumn was heard for minutes before the orchestra posted at the left corner of the stage began their hymn to welcome the bride. Cid had relocated himself to stage where he would await Edea's appearance, a red rose in his hand. He watched through his glasses the many friends and family who all twisted their heads to the approaching beautiful flower girls. They were so young and cute as they shyly sprinkled red rose petals unto the white carpet below them. When the children reached the stage, they separated into two groups, some walking to the left and the rest walking to the right.

Then, a veiled beauty cloaked in a pearl gown, began her slow gait down the aisle. The audience stood while Irvine adjusted the camera's view so that he could better record the glamourous bride. He wanted to capture the serene look she gave behind the veil, and he wanted to capture the laughable grin her escort, Squall made. He appeared so awkward smiling, but it was only because Irvine was used to seeing a cast iron face that revealed so little within his steely grey-blue eyes.

"I want to see you waiting for your bride up there, someday Squall," Edea whispered, her motherly tone so familiar to him. Squall nodded once, saying nothing.

He actually winced at the thought of getting married. Two people sharing the same bed, the same home, and the same solitude? The commitments and obligations? Then the annoying children, the arguments, and everything else that accompanied a married couple. No thank you, that was one thing Squall could definitely live without.

- - - - - - - - - -

It was very delightful and amusing to see that Zell could hold his red wine well as he sat at the feasting table, talking away to his attractive wife, Taylor Dincht. She only smiled happily and nodded her head as he spoke and stuffed his face with the exquisite finger foods a waiter had brought to him after the request. It was quite embarrassing for her, to see a very handsome man dressed in a very expensive suit and behaving as if he'd never eaten in ages. She backed away slightly, telling him that she wanted to speak with Edea for a while. He nodded dismissively, and continued with the food.

"I never knew, Zell," came a familiar sarcastic voice. At the sarcasm, Zell continued to eat, not bothering to look up to Irvine whom he knew it was. "Red wine's your groove, eh?" When Zell did decide to look up, he noticed that the cowboy had been followed by Quistis' husband, Dwight Brookhaven himself. Immediately, the blond frantically brushed himself off, straightened his suit, took another sip of wine, and grinned at the photographer, famous for his uncanny ability to bring the most out of pictures.

Shaking hands, the two men greeted each other, then Irvine started the conversation.

"This is Zell Dincht, another one of my orphanage buddies," the cowboy explained to which Dwight nodded. His slicked back brown hair sparkled under the ballroom's overhead chandelier and Zell couldn't help but to look up.

The man was indeed handsome. His features were the kind that automatically associated him with that of some charming knight way back when. His skin was slightly tan under the golden light-bulbs, and the thin mustache above his upper lip shined with the same glimmer as his hair. He had a square jaw that fit perfectly with his thin and youthful face. And when his lips creased into a devilishly sweet grin, his jewels of dark brown eyes became very soft and welcoming.

The two released each other's hands from the firm shake. Zell, a bit distracted on creating a conversation with man, took another sip of wine. Luckily, Dwight took the silent hint and spoke.

"Ah, yes. Zell Dincht," his tone was soft and smooth and . . . intelligent. It was very calming. "I've heard of you. You're the creator of the new and modified gunblade. Am I correct?" he queried, taking a sip of his own red wine. Zell nodded excitedly.

"Yeah. Cid always had two in his study and I'd always ask about them. I guess that was where I got my inspiration from," the blond explained, rubbing his head as if he were intimidated by the fact that his choice of words were cheesy.

"I must know your secret for capturing such a beautiful relic of war and then modifying it the way you do. It is absolutely breathtaking, I must say," Dwight admitted.

"I-It's really nothing to it. Easy to catch on," Zell said modestly, his hand still rubbing the back of his neck. His pale teal eyes averted to his polished shoes and he didn't look up until Irvine spoke again.

"Oh yeah, Zell. This is the artist of photography, and I'm his apprentice. So, now that you two are acquainted, I think I'll acquaint myself to that brunette over their." Irvine's slender finger pointed to bewildered emerald eyes as they skidded across the ceiling of the ballroom, careful not to miss any detail lest she miss an opportunity to be inspired. The cowboy was headed toward the brunette whose hair, curled toward her rosy cheeks, bounced when she titled her head to the side, inviting him to stroll toward her.

Zell, cursing Kinneas for leaving him so abruptly, faced Dwight and opted to talk about his career further. Then he'd ease his way into his love life with Quistis and eventually convince him to go find her, the reception was nearly over anyway.

"Finally. I've turned the mansion upside down looking for you," Quistis greeted the two men, her elegant posture having the power to arouse any unsuspecting man. But Zell, growing up with her was used to it, and it didn't affect him at all. He sighed with relief, Quistis was definitely a life saver.

Dwight, smiling generously, reached his left arm out so that she would wrap herself in them. They kissed and smiled affectionately at each other, all the while making Zell want his own wife to be near him so they could cuddle.

"I'm sorry darling, leaving you alone like that. I was just acquainting myself to Irvine's friends. I tell you, he will turn the mansion upside down finding everyone," Dwight laughed. They kissed again, and when they parted, Quistis became irritated. She suddenly wanted everyone gone, she wanted just her husband and herself to be the only ones in the universe so they could do what had to be done.

As if a human couple magnet, more guests began to hover around the trio, easing themselves into conversation. First it was Cid Kramer, noting how remarkable Dwight's slacks and vest combination was and the way the color complimented it. And somehow, he had dragged Squall along, and the taciturn best man did his best to detach himself from the growing crowd. Then Edea Kramer came gliding along arm-in-arm with Zell's wife. And they began commenting on how lovely everyone looked together again at last on such a special occasion. Even Squall had to admit it as well. Soon, the entire orphanage crew were together again with a few outsiders and they chatted away, laughing and joking and remembering.

"So Edea, what're you and Cid gonna' do tonight?" Irvine queried, tipping a glass of wine toward the couple. Edea, a bit shocked by Irvine's comment, turned to Cid, her face a bright crimson. Cid Kramer laughed, his plump stomach rising and falling as he did so. He wrapped his arm around the lanky woman, pulling her in tightly.

"Oh, you should know Irvine. What do you kids call it now'a days? Getting 'caught in the net'?" Cid replied, the wine forcing his tongue to be a little lose with his words. Quistis gasped from the statement, then she laughed. Cid faced her. "Oh come Quistis, you're married. Sex is the obligation, isn't that right, Dwight?"

Quistis' husband straightened the pale blue tie at his throat and nodded. "I suppose so," he answered, clearing his throat. He glanced at his beautiful wife, then toward Irvine who had sparked the topic. "But what is sex without love?" he laughed. "Pleasure isn't the same without it," he said, as if he were advising the newly wedded couple.

Matron bobbed her head back with laughter. She patted Cid's shoulder, facing him. "We'll do well to remember that, huh, puppy-eyes?" He only nodded. She then faced Quistis across from her. "Oh rose, where in the world did you find Mr. Brookhaven? I am absolutely in love with him!" she laughed.

Musings: Aww, isn't it sweet that Edea and Cid are now married? Yes, I believe that although they are old, they are still very much in love and that they are a good couple together. The story now, seems to follow Quistis' life an entire bunch, mainly because hers is the most dramatic so far. Not much happening on Squall's end . . . yet. The thought of Squall getting married is actually quite plausible, though he may not admit it. It would be nice to see him married though. I won't say to whom, because some say Rinoa, some say Quistis or even Selphie. And I absolutely hate when they want Squall and Seifer to marry! Sorry to force my beliefs on you guys, but hello! They were never homosexual in the game, so why alter them? And people complain about Squall being out of character in peoples' fics. . . . Sheesh!

Final Note: Time for the kids to return to their daily lives again next chapter. Number 3 will focus on Quistis and Squall's job mainly. Zell and the rest will be explained later down the road, kind of tacky to clump them all together. Look out for a quick surprise some chapters later! Made a reference to the series 'Lost' in Cid's statement, wonder if you caught it. It was by my favorite character on there! By the way, anyone catch the person I modeled Dwight after? He starred in a good movie recently. Tee-hee!

Also, I happened to be scouting for some stories and I found this awsome one! It's called Sleepy Hyne by an authoress named Dead Pollen, click the search button and check her out! Wow! The fic is sort of kinda based off of Sleepy Hollow. And check out another fic Frozen Tears by Psycho Demon Creature. It will get you inspired!

Shout-outs

Psycho Demon Creature- Hey, you're a good guesser! and don't go bashing yourself. It's okay, we all don't have brains. Keep guessing. Please update Forzen Tears soon, it's so inspiring! Hope you didn't mind my Stories shout-out.

Jade Almasy: Those were my thoughts, exactly! It is quite refreshing to write characters with an entirely new background. Also, I gather that your name is derived from Jade from Sweetbox? Just a guess, it's been bugging me. I've been meaning to read your fics, but I couldn't find the time. I will review if not this week, then on the weekend.

Dead Pollen: Thanks for the review. I hope you don't mind me spreading the news of your new fic around, it's awsome. Zone Hassleholf, huh? Guess where I got the name. Update your fic soon!