A.N.: A Squinoa
chapter for my series.
Disclaimer: I own
Zit, zero, nada, niente, nothing.
Rinoa's Birthday
Everyone was
happy. Seifer, Raijin and Fujin included, since they were now part of the gang.
Squall was
particularly happy that morning, he had been up to something; a surprise party
for Rinoa, his Angel. It was her birthday.
Squall asked for
Selphie to decorate the Squad and arrange food and drinks for the party. He
asked Quistis to take Rinoa to Dollet and keep her there the rest of the day
shopping, not letting her return till 1900 hours. He sent Irvine to Timber to
look for a certain film on the TV station archives with Watt's help while Zell
was sent to FH to bargain for an old projector.
Quistis was on her
way to Rinoa's dorm thinking of an excuse to make her go with her on a
"full day shopping trip" pretending not to know it's her birthday. 'Why
would she go shopping the whole day on her birthday, she must want to be with
Squall. She'll never go for this. Besides they've got the wrong person for the
job. Why me? I don't even like shopping. This is going to be torture.' She
complained to herself as she reached Rinoa's door.
She gently knocked
on the door; "Coming!" said the familiar voice from inside, in a
minute the door opened revealing a smiling Rinoa.
"Hi,
Quistis!"
"Hi, Rinny! I just...
thought... well... I need help buying a dress for the next Garden Festival
and... I thought you were just the right person to help me with my shopping.
... Would you?" she managed to make up that excuse and, as soon as she
said it, it sounded so stupid and out of character for Quistis. 'I doubt
she'll fall for something so stupid' she thought to herself.
"I would love
to! Today?" Quistis just nodded still shocked by her friend's enthusiasm
at going shopping on her own birthday. 'Is she that bored? Isn't there
something better to do on her birthday, like gluing to Squall like usually or
something?'
"Are you
sure? I mean... it is a whole day shopping."
"Of course
I'm sure. A day between two girls, the stores and my father's credit card.
Perfect! Besides, I didn't had any plans for today."
"You
didn't?" Quistis said surprised at how the usually 'happy hour' girl,
whose always in the mood for a party, was now ignoring the fact that it was her
birthday.
"No. Now stop
making weird questions and choose a city."
At the same time
in the Quad Seifer approaches Selphie whose ordering everybody around about the
decorations.
"Hiya Selph,
do you know where I can find Squall?"
"He's probably
at the bridge."
Seifer was already
turning to leave when Selphie stopped him. "Seifer, would you like to help
us with the decorations? You're the tallest guy in the Garden, and you wouldn't
have any problems reaching the higher places." She said with a pleading
look on her eyes and a child tone in her voice.
"NO!"
"Meany!"
"Meany? I
think you've been spending too much time with Rinoa." He said and turned
to leave.
"I'm going to
start to spread some juicy rumours about you and a certain instructor
Trepe." She yelled to him.
"And I'll be
thankful for that." He yelled while walking away.
Quistis
communicated to the bridge for Nida to stop the Garden at Dollet where she and
Rinoa would stay, he would come back for them at 1900 hours that day.
Seifer was at the
bridge talking with Squall when Quistis made the request.
"Why is
Quistis spending the day at Dollet?"
"Well, she's
doing me this little favour. I asked her to take Rinoa out of the Garden for
the day so we could prepare her birthday party." Squall replied.
"And Rinoa
agreed to spend her birthday at Dollet, away from you?"
"Yeah. I guess
it's kinda weird when you put it that way."
The Garden stops
at Dollet as predicted and Quistis and Rinoa, plus a few students, step down.
The Garden leaves, only to return at 1900 that day to pick up everyone.
"Would you like to
have breakfast first?" Quistis asked.
"Ok. But I can't
wait to help you choose a dress. When I lived with my father in Deling city I
used to invite my friends over and we did lots of Pyjama parties, I used to do
the make over to all of them. They were never the same after my parties."
"This is the first
time I ever heard you talking about the friends you had back home."
"Well, now they're
all just a bunch of snobs that think I'm crazy since I left home to fought for
Timber's independence. My only friends from there on were Watts, Zone and the
other rebel factions. That was my true home, till I met Squall. Now my home is
with you guys, at the Garden." Rinoa said, with tears starting to invade her
eyes.
"We're so happy
you think that way, Rinoa." Quistis said giving her friend a warm hug, almost
crying with her.
Back at the Garden
"SQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL!"
Selphie shouted.
"What happened?"
Squall asked wide eyeded at his friend's histerysm.
"Zell and Irvine
are ruining my plans for decoration, they're putting that large ugly thing in
front of my 'Happy Birthday' sign." Selphie said (yelled) almost breaking down.
Every crystal in the room cracked at her high pitched voice.
":sigh: It's ok
Selphie, I asked them to put that 'thing' in there so I can project a sort of a
film at the party."
"You're hiding
something from us, aren't you? Spill it." Selphie asked, eyes sparkling with
curiosity.
"You'll see at the
party, Selph."
Selphie pouts.
Squall turns to
Zell and Anna (pigtailed girl): "Could you guys arrange some plastic cups since
the crystal glasses are gone?" He whispered to them. They nodded and left.
"Good thing the
windows are bullet proof." Irvine whispered to Squall who chuckled at his
sarcasm, it almost sounded like Seifer. Who he had also sent on a mission.
At Timber
Seifer arrives at
Timber by train and looks around the station, looking for two familiar faces,
at least one. He then sees a weird guy in front the pet shop. He approaches
him, he's wearing sunglasses and a long black 'kind of detective' coat.
"The forests of
Timber sure have changed,…sir."
Seifer rolls his
eyes, "Cut the crap, Watts."
"Sir, how did you
knew it was me."
"For one, Timber
is already independent, so who else would keep playing 'detective'; second of
all, hiding undercover his Zone's department, so stick with gathering
information for the world's sake, K?"
"How have you been
sir? Haven't seen you in person since that summer. After that I only saw in the
live TV transmission. Everyone in Timber applauded your bravery for helping our
little town."
"They did?" Seifer
said surprised and proud at the same time.
"Yes, you did it
for us, without being hired, and risked your own life more then any of the
hired Seeds did. I still don't understand how you didn't graduated before. I
also didn't believed when they told me you joined the sorceress."
"Well, I guess I
act first and think later."
"I knew it. That's
also what you did when you flirted with Rinoa that summer, you didn't knew what
you were getting into, sir."
Seifer laughed "A
lot of troubles, that's for sure. Poor Squall he's the one with all the hard
work now. But he's doing a good job."
"Let's go, sir. We
have to leave town and head for the beach. Zone is at the White Seed ship
waiting for to take us to Balamb Garden."
"Squall said he'd
wait for us in front of Deling city's main entrance."
At Deling
"Ok, guys. You
four wait outside, if I don't come back in 30 minutes you enter to back me up.
Did you all brought your weapons?" Everyone nodded. Squall entered General
Caraway's Mansion.
Anna: "Why do we
need weapons to invite Rinoa's father for the party?"
"It's just in case
of retaliation, honey." Zell said kissing her forehead.
At Dollet
"Oh, this one
would look so good on you." Rinoa said putting another dress in front of
Quistis "You just have to try him on."
"Rinoa, I've
already tried 10 different dresses today, and it's only 1400." Quistis whined.
"It's ALREADY 1400
and you haven't bought any dress. I already bought 3 dresses and we came
shopping for you. So something's really wrong with this." She replied pushing
Quistis to cabins to try the dress on.
Again Dollet, 1600
hours
Quistis was
nearing a breakdown, so they stopped for an ice-cream.
"We only have
three more hours to find the perfect dress for you, so you better cooperate
with me."
"It's not that big
of a deal, really. If I buy the dress I probably wouldn't wear it anyway. I
don't look good in dresses."
"You're so shy,
that's so sweet." Rinoa giggled.
"That's not
funny." Quistis retorted and pretended to pout, making Rinoa laugh harder.
"Oh, look we
haven't checked that store before." Rinoa said looking at a store with
beautiful gowns at the window.
"I've been there
before, it's way to expensive for me."
"But they're on
sails, besides we're not leaving this city if you don't let me buy you a dress,
please." Rinoa begged.
"RINOA, it's YOUR
birthday you just can't buy other people gifts."
"…my birthday?……
Oh my, it IS my birthday! I totally forgot."
"You forgot?"
Quistis said, anime sweat drop on her forehead, freaky expression on her face.
"Yeah. Thank you
for reminding me Quistis. I own you… a dress. My way of thanking you. Besides you
can't wear trousers on our plans for tonight."
"'Plans for
tonight'?"
"Yes, we'll go
back to Garden and then we and the rest of the gang can go to Timber's bar and
party all night long."
"ooooook" Quistis
said not knowing what to say anymore at least that was a good excuse to make
Rinoa dress up for the surprise party without knowing. A light came to Quistis
brain as she had a plan in mind.
"So, let's go
'dress hunting', shall we?" Quistis said walking with Rinoa to the store.
As they entered
the store their eyes widened.
"This is
paradise!" Rinoa cried as she rushed for the dresses. Quistis calmly walked
after her.
"QUISTIS!" Rinoa
screamed drawing the attention of everyone in the store towards both of them.
Quistis blushed furiously and looked for a hole to hide in. Rinoa didn't seem
to notice, or perhaps she just didn't care. "Look." She said showing a dress to
Quistis that made her forget the embarrassment. It was a beautiful dress,
short, not too formal, it was light blue, matching Quistis eyes. She had to try
it. "You have to try it." Rinoa said echoing her thoughts. She grabbed the
dress and went to try it.
"Are you ready? I
want to see it." Rinoa asked from out.
"Ok, I'm ready."
Quistis said opening the cabin.
"WOW." Said Rinoa.
Quistis looked great, the long tight sleeves felt like a second skin, the
light, dancing skirt stopped right above her knees, the embroidered on the
dress's lineage made her elegant.
"It's great, you
look great."
"I feel naked, I'm
not used to this."
"You'll feel fine
after a few drinks, don't worry."
'What have I
gotten into?' Quistis thought 'Squall owns me big.'
They kept looking
through the store and Rinoa ended up buying another dress, it was white like a
cloud and it seemed to dance with every step she took.
"Squall will
surely be impressed." Teased Quistis.
"Well, I sure know
about a certain knight that will drool as soon as he sees you, 'Instructor'."
Rinoa teased and giggled.
"You can't pay attention
to Selphie's gossip. She jumps to conclusions that make no sense."
"Oh, sorry, 'My
Dear Instructor'"
"Cut the crap!"
At 1900 the Garden
went back to Dollet to pick up some students, Quistis and Rinoa.
"Why don't you go
get ready? I'll call everyone, and then I'll call you to tell where and when to
meet us." Quistis said.
"You'll call
EVERYONE?" Rinoa asked "Even Seifer?"
"YES, even him.
Don't worry. Go get ready."
"Don't forget to
wear your dress." Rinoa called back while walking for the dorms.
"Ok. Bye!" As soon
as she was out of sight Quistis ran towards the Quad.
"Is everything
ready?" She asked Seifer who was near the entrance.
"Yes, everybody's
here. What time is she coming?"
"Let everybody be
ready, in half an hour, I'm bringing her."
She said and left
in a rush towards the dorms while Seifer went to warn Squall.
Quistis took a
quick shower, and while drying herself she called Rinoa on the phone.
"Yes?"
"Rinoa, it's me.
The
gang will be waiting for us at the Quad because Selphie had to finish something
for the festival next month. I'm in front of your dorm in 15 minutes wait
there, K?"
"Ok, I'm ready and
waiting. C'ya soon."
Quistis dried her
hair and dressed up in no time. She didn't knew what to do about her hair so
she let it down.
She ran to Rinoa's
dorm with her shoes in hand. High heels weren't made for running around.
She knocked on the
door, and, almost suddenly Rinoa rushed out of the dorm very excited.
"Let's go!"
They walked to the
Quad. When they entered all was dark.
"Are you sure they
said they would be here? It's all dark, no one's here."
"Are you sure?
Call them out." Quistis said trying to contain her urge to laugh.
"SQUALL, are you
here?" She said while carefully going down the stairs. Quistis followed her
close.
Suddenly…
"SURPRISE" All lights are on
and white balloons start falling from the ceiling.
Rinoa starts crying
of joy as she sees a croud of faces that she held dear, singing 'Happy
Birthday'. In the front of them she could see Squall smiling tenderly at her.
'Look at her, she
looks like an Angel in that gown with those balloons falling over her' he thought to
himself. She ran to him and embraced him crying on his shoulder and smiling.
"My Angel." he whispered in her ear.
The lights went
off again and Zell started projecting the film Squall asked Irvine to find.
A live concert.
Eyes on Me started playing and Julia was singing on stage with two year old
Rinoa on her arms, eyes wide looking at all the lights on stage, showing the
same innocent, sweet smile that had melted Squall's heart.
Rinoa could see,
even with the lights out, her father crying while watching the film. She
approached him. "Oh, daddy, I miss her also." She said hugging him.
When the movie
stopped the lights went back and Squall and Rinoa went to dance as Zell, at a
DJ's table puts Eyes on me playing. Many couples follow the example.
Seifer couldn't
take his eyes from Quistis. She looked so great. Sometimes she took a peak at
him thinking he didn't noticed. He was wearing his Seed uniform and that seemed
to make her uncomfortable, or was it because he kept looking at her.
Quistis was trying
to admire Seifer in his Seed uniform, he looked so good in it, but she didn't
want him to see her staring at him, and that was difficult since he didn't took
his eyes from her. Had he no shame?
Selphie, on an
cute yellow dress with balloon sleeves and an orange bow on her waist, walked
on stage, whispered something on Zell's ear and grabbed the micro. "Alright
everyone, stop sulkink and let's PA-A-RTY!" Zell puts on the music Rockafeller
(Fatboy Slim) and the Garden goes wild. (see scene of the prom from the movie
"She's all that" and get the picture).
In the end starts
another ballad, "How did I fall in love" from BackstreetBoys, Seifer goes to
Quistis. "Would you like to dance?" she seems to think for a while then takes
his hand and follows him to dance floor. He seemed uncomfortable by the thin
material of her dress when they closed the space between them to dance, he also
noticed she had blushed furiously. "I like your hair down" he said in her ear,
his breath sending shivers up her spine. "Thank you." She said in an almost
inaudible whisper that only he could hear. He secretly smiled as she rested her
head in his chest.
In the balcony
Squall and Rinoa spent one of theirs unforgetful moments. Holding each other in
a sweet embrace they watched the stars together. "Rinoa?" "Hmm?" "Will you
marry me?" She looked in his eyes, she was crying. Her tears of joy looked like
diamonds that decorated her smiling eyes. "Oh, Squall. Yes, I will." She said,
he smiled and kissed her tenderly.
A.N.: Liked it? I
didn't liked the beginning; bad, crappy dialogues. And it was stupid for Rinoa
to forget her own birthday. I think the party went better thou. Anyway, please
Review.