Final Fantasy VIII Return
Chapter Eight-Dance of the Moon
Quistis looked over the scarlet red gown that covered her body. The dress was a work of art, something she had only dreamed of. It split sleekly, going down the middle similar to a slit, but filled in instead with an intricate pale lace. The square cut of her neckline and the loosely fit bell-shaped sleeves accentuated her slim arms. It fit her well showing off her curves, but flowed gently off her hips. Her hair beamed, seeming like the sun's subtle rays had touched her tresses. It was up high around her head coiling much like a snake and a sparkling petite headdress adorning her forehead, with star-like diamond earrings to mach. She wore two hand beaded ruby slippers that were hidden under the striking gown. The white gloves that garnished her added a touch of elegance. She smiled, forgetting the real reason she was going to such a grand ball. On the stubby table laid her mask and she grabbed it, exiting the room. Her first encounter was with Seifer; he wore golden bands across his wrists and had bright white traditional cuffs. And for once he was wearing gloves. Two symmetrical rows of buttons lined his jacket, the jacket longer than most and ended at his upper thigh. The collar was elongated; a stern tie was plastered against the white dress shirt he wore.
"My god Quistis, you look like a real women, stunning…" He said to her. And wondered to himself, why did he feel this way towards her, he had an urge to grab and kiss her and… She was his teacher though, a fact that he had ignored many times in the past, going on to do what he pleased. His former teacher, but her beautiful deep blue eyes, the way she carried her self. He had put all these walls up around himself never letting anyone pierce his coarse interior, but he still long for caring and lust, his romantic dream… His feelings betrayed him, as he starred at her.
"Seifer, if I didn't know better I'd say that was a compliment, coming from you," Quistis responded. He could be so pompous at times, no wonder she couldn't stand him. But as she looked at him, he reminded her a regal prince from a fairy tale story. And she felt so lonely… They looked at each other for a minute pondering the thought. Their heads moved in closer. But just before they could touch, Zell came hurrying into the lavender and white room filled with paintings and antiquated furniture dating back to another time. There was a piano, with keys made of ivory and looked well warn, the sheet of music read 'Eyes on Me,' the song of a dead women. Zell was wearing a suave, debonair white tuxedo and his blonde hair slicked back. He appeared enraged; ignoring anything that had gone on between them.
"LOOK WHAT THEY DID! They ruined my WHOLE look! Look at me, what kind of get up is this!? Waaaait, did I interrupt something?" Zell said looking curious at the two.
"Its called having some class chicken-wuss, now get out of here!" He said to Zell. Zell started to walk out and ducked behind the high doorway
Seifer glanced back at Quistis hopefully. "Now where were we?"
"Nowhere special," she said and walked off. A part of her wanted to complete what they had started. Of course that would go against any reasoning she had. She walked into Zell looking conspicuous around behind the rough door.
"What?" Zell said in his defense.
"Nothing happened, ok," she said shaking her head.
"Right," Zell said with a chuckle. Selphie and Irvine walked arm and arm, dressed in their own grand attire. Irvine sporting a long jet-black coat that came close to touching the ground. Inside of the same color was a vest that contrasted to a button shirt. A bow tie around his collar. A cowboy look with a very formal critique. He even wore a matching top hat with a pale yellow band around it. Then Selphie; her hair was facing inward, framing her face and it was back in a golden headband. The gown she wore was dandelion yellow, with two high slits on her sides. The dress was without straps and made of lace. Colored wings fell along her back, she was supposed to be a butterfly. She pulled the golden wrap closer to her body leaning towards Irvine. Seifer came out and stood with the group. The wide hall was well lit, with plain white doors that appeared randomly on each of the sides.
"Well isn't this quaint," Seifer said with a smirk.
"Has anyone seen Squall?" Selphie asked ignoring him. But Squall came in looking like the gallant knight he was, gunblade over his shoulder. He was dressed in all black, but had a plated vest sitting against his chest and Metal shin guards. He seemed to stand out between them; his look was mature, because unlike their bright happy smiles, he was frowning. Squall was wearing an ebony colored kind of knight outfit. He was not covered in cold metal, but instead He had a cape that swayed back. Wearing black gloves, that hid his hands. There was even a holster for his brilliant blade. He thought nothing of his appearance, not siting any special attention that was given to him. Seifer almost envied his look, Seifer who cared about looking the part he played. He reminded Selphie of Laguna; she looked back at Irvine who starred curiously at Squall, like he was unknown to him. Quistis remembered her feelings for Squall fondly, but she felt like she had come to grips with it, acknowledging instead that he was just her good friend. Zell was still wrapped up in his own self, feeling disappointed that he was going in alone, he missed Nicey. General Caraway came in after Squall, looking the same as always, with all those honorable medals, his long coat, and his signature salt and pepper mustache. His eyes smiled at the group, remembering some of his own fond times.
"You must leave soon, the longer we wait the more that can happen in our absence," the General said. He started walking before they could respond. They followed him down the hall, treading lightly on the polished wooden floor. They were going to take the Ragnarok; it was the fastest thing to the event, but would switch to a private limousine to get into town. He led them to the outside and waved his good byes, seeing them off. "Please take care, my young comrades. Do not let the Moon blind your sites or cloud your judgment. And maybe then you will be able to save her…" Caraway said softly to himself.
The twinkling stars cast their light gently upon and played backdrop to the looming Moon. A moon that had more than doubled its fantastic size, blocking out the dark night's sky. Its deep craters appeared like giant-forbidding shadows, which could clearly be distinguished against its pale yellow features. The Moon that caused so much folly seemed to attempt to make all of its faults forgotten, rewarding the worn planet with its entire majesty. And it was a happy site for the young and old alike, a common ground in this bitter and unsavory of times. They set out of the Mansion. The Moonlight reflected radiantly, bouncing off the six silhouettes. The buildings were dormant, no light penetrating the outside because of windows closed. They past through the silent city feeling alone, not everyone was so daring to challenge an omnipotent force such as the moon. The streetlights were dim in homage of the Moon or the lack of necessity and this made the picture painted seem even more of gloom. The young warriors seemed impatient as they boarded the tired-out-ship, struggle and fear invading their busied minds. They sat in their places as Selphie started the Ragnarok, the familiar rumble shaking in till it settled to a smooth ride. The journey seemed peaceful and fast there wasn't time to think of dangers and any warnings.
* * * * *
Christine was shouting orders left and right already displeased before the gala was to begin. Her tedious planning and hard excruciating labors were proving to be insufferably futile. There were Attendants for her every need and they scurried about taking care to her matters. The gown she had previously endowed had been scraped. She decided to go with something more extravagant, more brilliant, etc… Her thoughts racing and mind changing over trivial matters had left her little time to decide, but she truly thought she had out done herself. The beautiful dress put all the others in her sight at shame. It was a dark forest green, a green that brought out her eyes. It was lengthy, fully engulfing her body, it had been cut high enough to settle above her chest, but in the center was a circle which sides were brought together by a thin darker kind of bow. It dragged on, leaving a fluent train across the ground. The sleeves were binding as well, but flared out at the ends. She was adorned in a web of brilliant emeralds that were laced around her swan neck. Her golden hair was curled in wavy ringlets, but a few strands with evergreen and sun colored ribbons fitted in hanging loosely about. Her lips tasted of a sweet berry and were a light brassy color, coupled in with a bright shadow over her eyes.
After just coming from the spacious hall she sat down. The room she had just returned to her were her own private quarters and connected to the President's own room. The room was designed to show off the grandeur of Esthar, the sheer wonder of the great city. All the technology made her uneasy, feeling unsettled but unfolded new information unbeknownst to her. Electronic panels with statistics and various informations lining the metallic walls, which the over-headed lights reflected off of. There was a fold up bed, which was completely unnecessary. A large steel-gray desk lied in the corner and finally an oval glass coffee table in the middle. It was basic, but she had known worse. She was worried, frightened about what might happen, after all the SeeDs had escaped. She knew though that all was not lost, she still had the little brat of a Sorceress, Laguna and the party was still on. The security would be tight, but somehow she knew they would get in and she hated that. But by the time all that would pass she would already start to come into power and there was nothing they could do to stop her then. She played with the key in her hands, mindlessly moving it about her palm as she thought. Everything had at one time been so simple and clear, why couldn't things just be black and white, why could you question your own thoughts? She felt cold and hollow inside when she thought about all she had done to get to the "top." Then she told herself like she always did that everything would be right, that she would just kind of step over that line a little more drawing another in it's place in till she would eventually cross that one too in hopes of reaching her goal. So many lines had she crossed she couldn't see back to were she had began, her innocence lost. But look at this beautiful gown, so beautiful she could cry. She heard a knock at the door.
"What is it now?" She asked irritably. She had little to no tolerance to be around people.
"The guest are arriving, Madame," he said.
"Thank you, tell them I am sorry to keep them waiting and to expect my presence in just a moment," she responded. She got up slowly, putting the key gently into her beaded green handbag. The anxiety making her stomach twist into knots. She put a welcoming smile on her face, thinking about Laguna. She left her room, walking to the dungeon for the Sorceress. She would have the young girl out as her protection, that SeeD would dare not pull anything when his girlfriend was in her custody. She had dressed the girl in a beautiful angel costume, thinking of the irony. So the girl lied in the corner of the dismal cell wearing in a light powder blue dress that went up all the way around her neck to a halter-top. It had a slit on the side would never consider her a real angel, but made the dress more airy, flowing out and all around seeming more graceful. In the back were two pale angel wings that sweep forward. Such a girl did not deserve a dress like that, but Christine smiled anyway. The girl's hair even had white lilies woven in. The girl looked beaten as she was in the small corner with the Odine's bracelet still around her arm. "And how's the little Sorceress, ready to die?" She toyed. Rinoa starred back up at Christine and spit on her in disgust. Christine jumped back in surprise and slapped the girl.
"Get away from me," Rinoa said to her.
"Oh, I would if I had a choice, but as you have seen I don't. The Dance of the Moon is starting and we wouldn't want to keep our guest waiting now would we, eh?" Christine responded.
"I'm not moving one bit and you can't make me," the girl ordered.
"Do you think you have a choice in such matters, foolish girl? I will tell you for a fact, no." Christine jerked Rinoa's arm up fiercely and she had no reason not to comply because of the guards standing in the doorway. "You should thank me for what I have done look at you, you almost look like a real 'lady'." Christine walked fiercely down the halls, having no desire to be late any further, the Sorceress restrained followed behind her with guards. She could here the trumpets for the arriving guests being played and quickened her step and she couldn't afford to miss a thing. But finally she opened the double-doors and saw all he dreams come true. The walls spanned up higher and higher to touch the heavens, but stopped at the see-through glass dome that broadcast the immense Moon. The hall its self was capacious, a scarlet red carpet stretched down all the way abruptly ending at two empty thrones, one already occupied by Laguna. The color of the room was a pale yellow that matched the moon they were honoring. There were bright pendent flags hanging from the walls with Esthar's symbol. Portrait of the Moon hung above the chairs, depicting a crisp summer's night when the moon was full as it was now. There were tables far and out of place in the back, it was taking place at the same hall she had first Laguna, and most of the same things were present, like the vying plans across the walls, but the tapestries had been replaced scenes of the moon. Couples already floated about the dance floor, all dressed in various flamboyant costumes, showing off wealth, their riches. There were cloaked phantoms, fair heroines and mysterious maidens. She herself was suppose to be a nymph and she wore a green mask to go with her outfit.
* * * *
Squall gazed up at the giant building before him. It lied far in the presidential palace, one of the largest structures in the complex. Its walls up high, the building shimmering under the moon's glow. The other buildings surrounding it, but still appearing to be a little offset from the rest. It had many flat steps that lead up to an overhang, which had various ribbons hanging from it of gold and silver colors. And next to the doorway stood a portly man, probably none other than Ward who guarded the entrance. He would recognize them for sure, even with their masks on. But as they did approach the opening he simply smiled a toothy grin and waved them in. Squall stopped for a second looking back at Ward, questioning his sincerity and suspicious of a trap. The others continued on without a stutter eager to see into the party. It was definitely apparent that it had already started and was in full swing, the ballroom music blaring, couples enjoying each other's company. His view looked past all the events and fell upon one girl, one sorceress, and one angel, all one Rinoa. She was sitting in one of three elevated chairs positioned at the end of the large room. Unnoticeable bound at her wrists that were tucked behind her chair that looked more like a throne. In the other two chairs sat Christine and Laguna exchanging conversation. Laguna, so he had known about all along. The older man appeared nervous, his smile shaky and uneasy while Christine appeared overly confident as she talked to him. Rinoa's eyes met Squall's across the room, just like they had on that night of the SeeD graduation party that seemed so long ago. He noticed the light blue dress she wore the one with the lily-white angel wings smothered against her chair. She looked surprised when she saw him dressed like that, but smiled at the thought, her knight was here to save her once and for all. He turned away as he heard Zell calling him over.
"Commander, Commander," Zell waved at him.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Don't ya think your looking a bit suspicious looking at her like that?"
"Whatever," Squall said dismissing his comrade.
Quistis' stood idly, starring at her surroundings in awe, but warning. She felt tense, as she knew any moment the battle for the world would begin. And she jumped in shock as something grabbed her shoulders roughly. She turned around and sighed seeing the culprit was just Seifer. "What do you want?" She asked her hand on her hip in an expression of intolerance.
"Thought I might charm a dance from a fair damsel, if she so chooses to except. Which I think she will," Seifer said with a smile on his face.
"Well you seem awfully sure of yourself, what if this fair damsel you described chooses not to except you're oh so grand offer?" She asked.
"Then I will just have to sweep her off her feet, like this." With that he grabbed her hand and gently led her to the middle of the ballroom floor.
"Seifer-" She stopped herself deciding to relax just a bit something to calm her nerves. He clasped his hand around her waist and with the other was leading her on. They waltzed, flowing gracefully to the music barely setting foot on the ground, turning round; dancing within arms reach and coming again close in embrace. Selphie watched as Quistis and Seifer danced with envy. She had asked Irvine, but he said he had no desire to make a fool of himself. She watched Irvine stair at every girl that passed and her eye's turned to slits; she didn't have to tolerate this.
"Irvine!" Selphie said angered. She clutched her fists.
"What's wrong, Sefie?" Irvine asked innocently.
"You know what's wrong! Look, everyone is dancing and we're just standing here. You're not even paying any attention to me, looking at anything with legs that walks by!" Selphie said, this was an old and familiar argument between the two.
"Now you know that's not true, you're the only girl in my eye," Irvine said smiling.
"Irvine Kinneas, I'm tired of this! You don't just expect me to stand here like backup incase you can't get some other girl!" Selphie yelled at him.
"Selphie calm down, you're making a scene. We wouldn't want to draw any unnecessary attention," he nudged.
"No, Irvine I'm talking to you so you're going to listen in less you want me to just walk now?" She lowered her tone of voice.
"Well if it would help you to calm down than, than ya."
"Fine then. I hope you really don't like me because you'll never be seeing me again!" She shouted back and turned to walk away.
"But wait, I-" He stopped as she was already across the room. He didn't mean it, but she was completely overreacting. She could just get so touchy about that subject, how could he help it if his eyes wandered? Now she was angry with him once again, but what if she didn't come back this time? Maybe it wasn't all her fault… Women, can't live with them, can't live without them. Zell approached him, seeing what had happened.
"Yo, man. Just saw what went down. Pretty harsh! So what ya gonna do about it?" Zell asked. Irvine turned his attention off from Zell, finding Quistis talking to Selphie whose green eyes appeared glassy. "Uh, Irvine. Hello?"
"What?" Irvine snapped out of his trance. He saw Squall in the corner of his eye, standing in the corner alone. "What's wrong with Squall?" Irvine asked changing the subject.
"Oh him, I don't know? What isn't?" Zell responded. But what got the two's attention was the sudden stop of the music and Christine's booming voice. She had stood up from her throne calling the attention of those around her. Rinoa still appearing to be held captive and Laguna nervous.
"Friends, comrades and delegates. In a second the true festivities will begin to honor the moon on this holy of nights."
Chapter Nine-Entrance to Eternity
- Christine waved her arms out in an over exaggerated gesture signifying the beginning of the end, the end of this horrible life and soon the rebirth to a beautiful start, were all of the past would no longer exist. All her terrible deeds never happening were she could be free. Every thing would be right, right as rain and she wouldn't have to struggle to get her needs met.
- "Brace yourself for the tables have turned and a poor peasant girl stands before you in riches, holding the key to time it's self, the very readings of Hyne. Let the ceremony begin. I will gather your energy." She announced proudly. She held a blue gem in her palm. The confident smirks wiped off their faces replaced with ghostly pale looks of fright. The SeeDs gathered in the back deciding what to do. Squall started walking forward down the red carpet, his friends walking close behind, as the rest of the crowd paused. "Oh and you my little SeeDs, what do you plan to do?" She mocked.
"Enough of this Christine. Step down now or face the consequences," Squall said to her, he stood before her in full costume. His friends were behind in support.
"Are you threatening me, boy. I suppose you had forgotten about what happened between us, no?"
"And what would that have anything to do with this?" He asked.
"Just thought your girlfriend would like to know…"
"Let her go," Squall said. Rinoa was completely out of it barely conscious, with her head down she moved her lips to utter his name under her breath. Laguna was standing up; mouth drooped open, speechless.
"Christine what is the meaning of this? Were you planning to bring any of this up to me?" Laguna questioned. He looked at Rinoa, the "evil" Sorceress so she had said.
"I will do anything to get what I want, you should now that by now," she responded.
"Squall… I'm scarred," Rinoa said barely above a whisper. He whipped his hand back in frustration, he had to save the world, and he had to save her. The people slumped to the ground, their precise life force drained from within leaving them helpless. They themselves falling transfixed to the spell. Selphie and Quistis casting The Wall and Mighty Guard, and protecting the group from the evil force. Squall had to think fast he had to find a way, everything relied on him everything and he had no idea whatsoever. He had promised to save her to find a way at any cost, to be there for her and he was standing around doing nothing.
"Squall, do something!" Selphie yelled.
"Like what?! What the hell am I supposed to do?" He yelled.
"Yes, what do you plan to do? She's dying you know, every breath she takes draws her nearer to the final one. What will you do without her, how will you live out her. Never to hear her call your name again! And then time soon to be completely in my hands!" She yelled.
"Christine, please stop this. I beg you. You don't need to change the past, you can look onward to the future, our future," Laguna pleaded.
"No, you don't love me, you never could, but I will make everything right, right how it should be and how it will be. You'll see!" The energy streamed to the crystal effortlessly, flowing in spiral waves and eventually stopping.
"Well if nobody else is going to do anything then I guess it's up to me. Stand back Puberty-Boy, and watch a real man in action," Seifer said confidently. He raised his gunblade preparing to attack, as the last of the energy was drained from the masked crowd, victims caught in the middle never to see the light of day again. He rushed at her with all his strength and anger, disregarding Rinoa's life and deciding he would be the hero for once. It was only one life to give up to save them all, no contest. He sprang up at Christine expecting to hit her, but instead was hit with an awful surprise as he fell back damaged. Her power obviously growing, she had blocked the strike easily, an invisible field shielding her from danger. Quistis ran to his aide like she had before, lifting his blonde head into her lap. And Rinoa beginning to slump more in her chair, her head nuzzled deeper in her chest, and her feet hanging loosely with out support. Laguna falling victim to the same weakness.
"Foolish boy. But he will soon be disposed of, and you too. You may challenge me, SeeDs if you must, but first you must challenge your own futures your own realities, you must find what is real you must face the greatest hardships and then you might find me!" She said laughing wickedly.
"What are you talking about?" Squall asked but before he could say another word he was standing in an open meadow. It must of all been a dream? He gazed at the field, the same flowering meadow Rinoa and he had promised to meet each other. The Blue sky was clear, not a cloud in site. The wind blew gently against him, his hair getting in his way. Sun beamed down against his body making him feel uncomfortably warm. Flowers of all different colors brilliant pinks, coupled with turquoise blues, and green grass spread through out. He saw a figure from the distance, no less than a shadow sketched out in the horizon. But as he walked closer he noticed more detail, like her raven hair and her blue frock. It was Rinoa, standing in the sunlight as it radiated off of her. So he went to her, taking a one step after another growing closer, but still seeming so far, distant. He finally made it and she turned around to see him, smiling. She went on with no words, so he pulled her close hugging her in relief. She was so close to him that she could have heard his heart racing fast and there heads bent in low for a kiss. There lips touching for a long moment, nothing to stop them. What was this he thought? One moment he had been stranded in a hopeless situation, Rinoa dying and the world in jeopardy. Now he was standing with her, holding her close in his embrace. It didn't make any sense. It must have had something to do with Christine occupying time, if that was possible. Could she have set this up as some type of distraction? Where were the others? Why the twisted silence? And if that was all so, than how could he get out of it? He pulled away from Rinoa, if it was the real Rinoa, or just some different reality. He looked at her face, a face that had used to belong to Rinoa but now appeared to be Christine.
"Hope you enjoy your fantasy's, make sure you meet up with your friends in the future world I think You will be quite surprised to see what becomes of them and that wench," she said smugly.
"What is this?" He questioned.
"This is what could be, the future, the present, or even the past if you had chosen a different path. You will never see the face of reality again; no one can maneuver through time and find their place back in the reality of your present. I think you will enjoy this game better, where she is not dead," she said with a smile and disappeared. What was she talking about, the past, present or future? So he would wander aimlessly trying to find the right time, the time where Rinoa was dead in? He closed his eyes tightly, hoping to open them to a far kinder world. Instead he was in a cool and dark house. Everything appeared shadowed and gray, he could see his own breath. The walls were made of cobbled stone filling into the dreary setting. The dust that covered the furnishings and mantel appeared thick with age, seeming that no one had set foot in it for generations. Several fiery torches adorned the walls, bringing in the only light. But what caught his eye was a picture lying on the stone mantel, a very distinct picture, of Squall. The picture also appeared very riddled with dust, and he gently wiped it away with his glove-covered hand picking it up. The picture may have been of Squall, but he appeared older. He was smiling, the soft lines of his jaw curving in a rare position. In his arms he held a small child of no more than four years. A girl with two dark braids hanging down her eyes dark brown oval eyes and a bright smile across her face too. The background seemed familiar it was the mantel in better days. He heard something, a scream from above. He rushed up the aged stairs, through the unknown house. He went through similar looking stories of the house in till he found an old canopy bed. A girl lied in the bed, looking crumpled and aged from worry or doubt. She wore a long powder white nightgown, the covers kicked from her shivering body. She turned fiercely around in the bed.
"Squall… No. Come back, come back Amy, you can't go there. But, she's my daughter! My Squall…" She finished the struggle and woke. She opened her heavy eyes, sitting up. Dark bags had formed on her face from endless crying. "Who are you?" She asked more to herself than the figure.
"Rinoa, what happened to you?" He asked the women.
"No! Stop this, I can't handle another dream of you, I can't handle seeing you and not being able to touch you. Go away, leave me in some peace!" She shouted angrily. Tears welding in her eyes.
"No, it's no dream, it's me Squall, Rinoa. Why are you like this what happened?" He asked her.
"I told you to get away from me!" She yelled back.
"Please, you have to believe me. Tell me who did this to you!" He demanded.
"You did this to me, Squall. You did this! You left me alone forever! I have nothing because of you. I don't have my beautiful daughter I don't have someone to love. You did this, it's all your fault!" She screamed. She looked at him with pure hatred, like he had ripped her heart out. "Amy, Squall. Alana, she died. She was abducted and you went after her, but you died, you got shot right through the heart. I told you not go, to wait for someone or something for support, but you wouldn't listen. It was dangerous. And you left me all alone, forever." She finished. "Come closer, please. I don't care if this is a dream it's better than any reality." He sat on the bed beside her, awkwardly. She put her arms around him, laying her head gently against him. He put his arms around her then. "This isn't a dream…" she said in her own disbelief. "What is this!? Your dead and you look younger, like your still seventeen?" She questioned, she pulled away from him.
"Don't you remember Christine?" He asked.
"Who is that?" He looked at her, this wasn't his Rinoa this was a shadow of what she had been, if she had survived. He would never gaze at her again she was dead forever. He would wander aimlessly lost in the fabric of time, seeing all the twisted possibility's of what could have been or what would never be. His life meant nothing anymore, he might as well had died for he could do nothing.
"No, this will never be Rinoa, this will never happen because it was never suppose to in my time, whatever that means," he said to the ghost. He had to get away from this reality that couldn't be. And it did fade away, to something better or worst.
* * * *
Quistis brushed out her long golden hair, lifting the tangles out, making it soft and smooth to the touch. The black cloak she wore was out from under her as she sat on the unmade bed. She could think of nothing but him, every thought in her mind was of the beautiful kind of mystery that laid behind those blues eyes of his or how his dark hair fell gently over his eyes. He was so funny, doing little things to help her out, but sometimes it felt like he was starring past her, wanting something else in her place. She tried not to think of little things like; it probably was just her imagination. She remembered what Ellone had told her when they were both growing up together, just two teenagers having their night out before graduation. Ellone's date had left her earlier on, and she was crying while Quistis comforted her. She had said you could always tell by the look in their eyes.
The long red skirt felt biding as she got up, and she wore a long light pink shirt, her button collar undone a bit. She put the black hood over her the back of her head. Sneaking out was hard in Garden she hated dealing with the disciplinary committee, and having a lecture from Cid. But she brushed her fears a side, after all he had promised her a special night. She crept quietly around in her dorm room, peaking out of her door finding all was well. She walked down the silent hall everyone was asleep. It was only ten o'clock; but Garden was strict in these matters. She found the training center, and equipped ec-none, making her way hastily through the training center. Stepping out into the small balcony that overlooked the inner glowing Garden. She saw him standing with his back turned away, not even noticing her arrival. She tapped him lightly on the shoulder and he turned around for the smile he saved for just her. This was her Squall, no one else could be by his side, cheer him up when he was down, only she had that power over him. He took her hand with his and slipped the familiar ring onto her finger, a ring with the encrusted outline of an ancient and powerful GF, Griever. She looked down at her hand her eye's tearing in unexpressed happiness. He leaned into a kiss, which she got into completely. It reminded her of the night she had danced with him, how she had reluctantly cajoled him into dancing with her, the night were she saw for the first time he actually liked her. And now she felt like he actually loved her. In till now she had never known if his feelings were true, or he was just humoring her. Maybe he did care. They broke away from the kiss.
"But, what dose this mean Squall?" She asked. There was a long silence between them as he thought.
"What do you think it means?" He said. But then she remembered, everything hit her all at once. About Christine, how she was taking over time. All her memories seemed vague like they hadn't even existed at all. This wasn't real; this was just some sick alternate reality. Where was Rinoa then? But it felt so good, she didn't even want to believe it wasn't real and if she just ignored the voice deep insider her saying everything was wrong she could continue on with Squall. This reality, in this reality he was hers, not Rinoa's, he loved her not Rinoa. He would marry her and be hers forever and ever by her side. Is that not what she wanted? To have Squall, to be his. But she couldn't make that feeling go away, it would eventually consume her, making her helpless. He could love her! She looked back at his face with all the lust and desire she had ever felt for this boy, this simple boy who she hated for being so close. She hated him for being hers. It didn't feel right, she couldn't give into her feelings he wasn't hers, he was never meant to be hers.
"Are you ok?" He asked. She decided she didn't care, he could be hers for once. She could be free with him one time, but not forever.
"I love you, Squall. You know I have always loved you since the day we met. I knew I could never stop loving you even if you didn't love me. I don't care anymore," she said.
"I love you, but what don't you care about anymore?" He questioned.
"Nothing, nothing anymore. Just be here with me for now, for just this night. Don't think about forever, just be with me now. Come here and put your arms around me, like I'm yours," she said. The boy put his arms around her, just like she had instructed as she did the same. Arms embraced close around the other as if they would die without each other's hold. She felt the soft touch of his lips against hers, how everything started out so sweet and mellow like when they first met, slowly moving to be more intense, like they would stand by each other through the end and finally to all passion as he read her reactions. This kiss lifted her up higher, beyond reason or doubt to just pure feeling and undying trust. They looked at each other again, what had happened between them, and they squeezed each other so hard just knowing the other one was really there.
Author's Note: If you don't understand what's going on they are lost in time, this is a distraction for Christine to build her power so she can actually change things. What they are experiencing are alternate realties and possible futures basically my excuse for saying all the what ifs for Final Fantasy VIII.