Boring Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy. That's Square's bitch. I just wrote a fanfic because I think this concept is so cool, being the dork I am.
Chapter Ten
" Welcome Matthew," Quistis said when I arrived early to the ballroom. It was a huge room, old fashioned type. Full staircase. Balcony with a great view. Glass doors. There were plenty of round tables full of food and wine. The whole room was decorated with white roses. The walls were carved with elaborate pictures. The room's most attractive feature was the lit crystal chandelier. The colors of the ceiling reflected off of it and made the room seem to glow. Almost everything else was typical. Caraway had plenty of parties like this. Not many people had appeared yet. Probably businessmen anyways.
" Hello instructor," I replied, not really paying attention.
" I'm so glad you came. We started to think you weren't going to come," she said.
" I'm sorry to disappoint you," I muttered.
" What?" she was confused.
" I said I came early to help you with the party," I lied.
" Thank you. That's sweet. But we're all set, so you can hang around. I'll be right back," she said.
I wondered around the room, partly admiring the handiwork, and partly wondering about Squall. If he was rivals with my father like Fujin said, why was he so nice to me when I came here as a little kid? Why was he nice to me now? Did he think he owed it to me to invite me here?
" Who are you?!" a voice demanded bitterly. I turned and I saw Katrina. She wore a sleek black dress. Beautiful jewels surrounded her petite neck. Her ebony hair was put up, with only strands hanging down by her face.
" Who are you?! I know all my parents' friends and you are undoubtedly not one of them," Katrina repeated. I held back an urge to laugh.
" I guess they were right," I said.
" Who was right about what?" she asked.
" Oh, nobody you'd take an interest in," I said casually.
" You don't know me, so you don't know my interests," she said.
" Oh really? I can assume accurately," I replied.
" I doubt that," she narrowed her eyes.
" You do uphold your reputation," I said. She smiled smugly.
" But it is clear that you could never bring me down. So nothing to worry about," I turned away carelessly.
" What's that supposed to mean?" she replied angrily.
" Don't worry precious angel. Your parents will introduce me to you later," I said. Three. Two. One.
" Do not call me that. I am far from even being your acquaintance, let alone your 'precious angel'," she snapped.
" Are you really as snobby as you do project yourself?" I wondered. I knew that hit the mark.
" Are you really as brainless as you have proved yourself?" she replied.
" Of course, precious angel," I laughed. She took a step closer to me.
" Don't mess with me boy. I've made guys like you cry. I can do it once more," Katrina threatened.
" Oh, Katrina, I see you met the guest of honor," Squall entered the room. The scowl on her face dropped. She forced a smile, but I could tell she was surprised. I grinned pretentiously.
" Katrina, could you go send for Tyrell? I'm giving Agatha a rest," he requested and left the room again.
" Idiotic maid!" she resented.
" And it wouldn't be a problem if Jeeves weren't on vacation," I joked.
" Perhaps," she had a faint smile as she hurried up the stairs.
Soon, the room was crowded with people. There was a lot of people in their twenties. Zell showed up with his girlfriend and went almost immediately to their table. I saw Selphie was still with Nida. Squall and Quistis were at the head table like hosts usually are. Bryant was actually still. My stomach turned as I saw Irvine entered through the doors. I noticed Selphie's stomach must have too because she gave him a sour look. Katrina was leading a boy down the stairs. Must be Tyrell. I noticed they didn't look that alike. He had dirty blonde hair. Their green eyes were about the same. But that was merely basic.
I decided not to puzzle myself over the possibilities. I walked onto the balcony that overhung the city. The cold breeze hit me, but it wasn't so bad. I leaned against the railing and watched the city.
" Beautiful, isn't it?" a familiar voice said from behind. I grinned. Fujin came to the railing and looked at the city.
" So how's the Garden?" she asked.
" Amusing," I nodded honestly.
" How amusing?" she lifted an eyebrow.
" The way people act around here. You wouldn't believe it," I laughed.
" I bet I can. I grew up here," she smiled.
" Then why should I bother telling you?" I looked at her.
" I don't know. I guess to make time pass," she replied.
" Do you know anything about Katrina Leonhart?" I asked.
" I do," Fujin laughed.
" What?" I was interested.
" She's acts like a prick," she responded.
" Acts? Don't you mean 'is'?" I said.
" She acts the way she does, but you can see her insecurities. She's the most scared youth I ever met and I have known my share of terrified people," Fujin said.
" Are you sure? I don't think that's her problem."
" Then take a closer look."
I shrugged and we rejoined the party. Squall was standing, holding up a wine glass.
" Oh, there he is. I proclaim a toast for the guest of honor. I hope he feels welcomed to the Garden and that he'll make us all proud. That all right, Matthew?" Squall announced. Katrina was looking at me, and she made a devilish smile.
" Whatever floats your boat," I went to the guest of honor's seat, which happened to near Katrina.
" Now, to start off, let there be dancing," Quistis smiled and took Squall's hand to the dance floor. Squall nodded to Zell about something then danced. I leaned back in my chair.
" How about you show some appreciation to the guest of honor?" Zell whispered to Katrina, within my earshot.
" I'd rather not," she scowled in disgust.
" Puh-lease," Zell begged.
" If it makes you happy," she surrendered.
" Thank you," Zell said smugly. Katrina stood up and walked to me.
" Would you like to dance?" she forced a smile.
" What makes you think I'd want to dance with you?" I tempted her.
" Can you just dance with me to make my parents happy?" Katrina winced.
" Oh, I'd love to," I said conceiting. We headed out and started dancing.
" What a talented dancer you are," I commented.
" Arg, could you be any more arrogant?" she rolled her eyes.
" I'm just trying to imagine being you," I spun her around.
" Why the hell did my parents make you a guest of honor?" she snapped back.
" They did because... they just love me," I sighed.
" You're just some rich boy from Deling City, Matthew Caraway," she laughed.
" Is that my last name around here? Some places it's Caraway, others Heartily. I don't think I've been called Matthew Almasy yet," I said thoughtfully.
" Almasy? Why would your last name be Almasy?" she stopped dancing.
" After my father. His name was..." I started.
" Seifer Almasy," she finished," Yes, I know about him. I didn't know you were his son though."
" Who did you think I was?" I said.
" This doesn't surprise me at all," Katrina stepped away from me," I know there was something wrong about you."
" What are you talking about?" I was astounded.
" You should know best. He's your father. I can tell where you got your impertinence," She snapped at me.
" At least my real parents loved me," I was losing patience.
" Ha! Well, one thing is for sure, a Leonhart always victories over an Almasy. I've been wondering why everyone's been keeping such a close eye on you. My father won't stand to lose another loved one to your akin. Especially his daughter," she started to walk away.
I was ready to say something back, but I was speechless. What a bitch.
But was that the real reason I was invited to this damn party? So Squall could see if I would go crazy someday? So everyone could make sure history didn't repeat itself?
I walked right out of the room and to the elevator. I pressed the button and forced myself to relax. It's unfair for them to judge me this way. Whatever happened to the Squall I met when I was little? Why does almost everyone hate or fear Seifer? He couldn't have possibly done anything that sinister. But if that's true, why do they think I have the potential to become him? Do they pray I have enough of my mother in me to have virtue? I'm not going to become some deranged villain. How can they expect me to do anything right when they think so poorly towards me?
" I'll prove them wrong. I'm not going to let them be right about me. They hardly know me," I vowed to myself.
Chapter Ten
" Welcome Matthew," Quistis said when I arrived early to the ballroom. It was a huge room, old fashioned type. Full staircase. Balcony with a great view. Glass doors. There were plenty of round tables full of food and wine. The whole room was decorated with white roses. The walls were carved with elaborate pictures. The room's most attractive feature was the lit crystal chandelier. The colors of the ceiling reflected off of it and made the room seem to glow. Almost everything else was typical. Caraway had plenty of parties like this. Not many people had appeared yet. Probably businessmen anyways.
" Hello instructor," I replied, not really paying attention.
" I'm so glad you came. We started to think you weren't going to come," she said.
" I'm sorry to disappoint you," I muttered.
" What?" she was confused.
" I said I came early to help you with the party," I lied.
" Thank you. That's sweet. But we're all set, so you can hang around. I'll be right back," she said.
I wondered around the room, partly admiring the handiwork, and partly wondering about Squall. If he was rivals with my father like Fujin said, why was he so nice to me when I came here as a little kid? Why was he nice to me now? Did he think he owed it to me to invite me here?
" Who are you?!" a voice demanded bitterly. I turned and I saw Katrina. She wore a sleek black dress. Beautiful jewels surrounded her petite neck. Her ebony hair was put up, with only strands hanging down by her face.
" Who are you?! I know all my parents' friends and you are undoubtedly not one of them," Katrina repeated. I held back an urge to laugh.
" I guess they were right," I said.
" Who was right about what?" she asked.
" Oh, nobody you'd take an interest in," I said casually.
" You don't know me, so you don't know my interests," she said.
" Oh really? I can assume accurately," I replied.
" I doubt that," she narrowed her eyes.
" You do uphold your reputation," I said. She smiled smugly.
" But it is clear that you could never bring me down. So nothing to worry about," I turned away carelessly.
" What's that supposed to mean?" she replied angrily.
" Don't worry precious angel. Your parents will introduce me to you later," I said. Three. Two. One.
" Do not call me that. I am far from even being your acquaintance, let alone your 'precious angel'," she snapped.
" Are you really as snobby as you do project yourself?" I wondered. I knew that hit the mark.
" Are you really as brainless as you have proved yourself?" she replied.
" Of course, precious angel," I laughed. She took a step closer to me.
" Don't mess with me boy. I've made guys like you cry. I can do it once more," Katrina threatened.
" Oh, Katrina, I see you met the guest of honor," Squall entered the room. The scowl on her face dropped. She forced a smile, but I could tell she was surprised. I grinned pretentiously.
" Katrina, could you go send for Tyrell? I'm giving Agatha a rest," he requested and left the room again.
" Idiotic maid!" she resented.
" And it wouldn't be a problem if Jeeves weren't on vacation," I joked.
" Perhaps," she had a faint smile as she hurried up the stairs.
Soon, the room was crowded with people. There was a lot of people in their twenties. Zell showed up with his girlfriend and went almost immediately to their table. I saw Selphie was still with Nida. Squall and Quistis were at the head table like hosts usually are. Bryant was actually still. My stomach turned as I saw Irvine entered through the doors. I noticed Selphie's stomach must have too because she gave him a sour look. Katrina was leading a boy down the stairs. Must be Tyrell. I noticed they didn't look that alike. He had dirty blonde hair. Their green eyes were about the same. But that was merely basic.
I decided not to puzzle myself over the possibilities. I walked onto the balcony that overhung the city. The cold breeze hit me, but it wasn't so bad. I leaned against the railing and watched the city.
" Beautiful, isn't it?" a familiar voice said from behind. I grinned. Fujin came to the railing and looked at the city.
" So how's the Garden?" she asked.
" Amusing," I nodded honestly.
" How amusing?" she lifted an eyebrow.
" The way people act around here. You wouldn't believe it," I laughed.
" I bet I can. I grew up here," she smiled.
" Then why should I bother telling you?" I looked at her.
" I don't know. I guess to make time pass," she replied.
" Do you know anything about Katrina Leonhart?" I asked.
" I do," Fujin laughed.
" What?" I was interested.
" She's acts like a prick," she responded.
" Acts? Don't you mean 'is'?" I said.
" She acts the way she does, but you can see her insecurities. She's the most scared youth I ever met and I have known my share of terrified people," Fujin said.
" Are you sure? I don't think that's her problem."
" Then take a closer look."
I shrugged and we rejoined the party. Squall was standing, holding up a wine glass.
" Oh, there he is. I proclaim a toast for the guest of honor. I hope he feels welcomed to the Garden and that he'll make us all proud. That all right, Matthew?" Squall announced. Katrina was looking at me, and she made a devilish smile.
" Whatever floats your boat," I went to the guest of honor's seat, which happened to near Katrina.
" Now, to start off, let there be dancing," Quistis smiled and took Squall's hand to the dance floor. Squall nodded to Zell about something then danced. I leaned back in my chair.
" How about you show some appreciation to the guest of honor?" Zell whispered to Katrina, within my earshot.
" I'd rather not," she scowled in disgust.
" Puh-lease," Zell begged.
" If it makes you happy," she surrendered.
" Thank you," Zell said smugly. Katrina stood up and walked to me.
" Would you like to dance?" she forced a smile.
" What makes you think I'd want to dance with you?" I tempted her.
" Can you just dance with me to make my parents happy?" Katrina winced.
" Oh, I'd love to," I said conceiting. We headed out and started dancing.
" What a talented dancer you are," I commented.
" Arg, could you be any more arrogant?" she rolled her eyes.
" I'm just trying to imagine being you," I spun her around.
" Why the hell did my parents make you a guest of honor?" she snapped back.
" They did because... they just love me," I sighed.
" You're just some rich boy from Deling City, Matthew Caraway," she laughed.
" Is that my last name around here? Some places it's Caraway, others Heartily. I don't think I've been called Matthew Almasy yet," I said thoughtfully.
" Almasy? Why would your last name be Almasy?" she stopped dancing.
" After my father. His name was..." I started.
" Seifer Almasy," she finished," Yes, I know about him. I didn't know you were his son though."
" Who did you think I was?" I said.
" This doesn't surprise me at all," Katrina stepped away from me," I know there was something wrong about you."
" What are you talking about?" I was astounded.
" You should know best. He's your father. I can tell where you got your impertinence," She snapped at me.
" At least my real parents loved me," I was losing patience.
" Ha! Well, one thing is for sure, a Leonhart always victories over an Almasy. I've been wondering why everyone's been keeping such a close eye on you. My father won't stand to lose another loved one to your akin. Especially his daughter," she started to walk away.
I was ready to say something back, but I was speechless. What a bitch.
But was that the real reason I was invited to this damn party? So Squall could see if I would go crazy someday? So everyone could make sure history didn't repeat itself?
I walked right out of the room and to the elevator. I pressed the button and forced myself to relax. It's unfair for them to judge me this way. Whatever happened to the Squall I met when I was little? Why does almost everyone hate or fear Seifer? He couldn't have possibly done anything that sinister. But if that's true, why do they think I have the potential to become him? Do they pray I have enough of my mother in me to have virtue? I'm not going to become some deranged villain. How can they expect me to do anything right when they think so poorly towards me?
" I'll prove them wrong. I'm not going to let them be right about me. They hardly know me," I vowed to myself.