In which presents are given Mumford Mumford 8 129 2001-10-14T16:24:00Z 2001-10-26T21:42:00Z 2 621 3545 n/a 29 7 4353 9.2720 88 1

Quistis brushed her hair slowly in the mirror wondering when Coryn would get here. It had been like this ever since she'd left Balamb garden just waiting around for Coryn to get here. Galbadia was just so different from Balamb, for a start there were barely any girls, and certainly none at SeeD rank. All through the years girls would be actively discouraged from becoming a SeeD, being pushed instead towards the academic studies where they would be given a provisional qualification after a couple of years and then drafted to teach the junior classmen. Which was another difference. In Galbadia it took a lot longer for people to reach SeeD trainee level most not having their first attempt at the exam until they were eighteen. While she could see the reasoning behind this it still made it very hard for an eighteen year old girl to be taken seriously as either as a SeeD or a SeeD instructor.

At the moment she was subbing for the intermediate level SeeDs. It was very hard to get her talent recognised not only because of what she was but also because of what she'd done as, for obvious reasons, Galbadia wasn't very receptive to her success in the Sorceress War. It was odd. Back at Balamb she'd always been respected, even before she'd done anything and now she was subbing for classes of teenage boys who really weren't very mature. It made her miss the reverential worship of the Trepies.

It didn't help that Coryn was busy all the time. Now, apparently, was a very important time in his career, which meant that he had to spend all his time talking to Commander this or General that. It was what they were meant to be doing this evening. She'd spent ages getting ready, he'd told her that it was very important to make the right impression. He'd promised her that he'd come round early and get her so they could go together, but it was now a quarter of an hour after the party was meant to start, and only getting later. Then there was a knock on the door. "Coryn" she breathed.

She opened the door.

"H-hi Quistis"

It was Squall.

"Hey Squall"

She retreated back into the room leaving the door open behind her. Squall shut it behind him. She sat dejectedly on the bed.

"You look nice"

"Thanks" and smiled sadly.

He wasn't lying, he thought she looked beautiful. He remembered what he'd come for and started fumbling around in his pocket.

"I, um, got you a present"

"Oh, why?" she asked, her interest roused.

"For the engagement, y'know, as I missed the sending off."

"Why did you miss the sending off?"

"I guess I just overslept" Squall replied, not wanted her to know how he'd stayed away languishing in his self-pity alone in his dorm. "Here it is." And he produced a small square jewellery case. He opened it gingerly.

"I got you these earrings, because I figured as you always wear you hair up you . . . " his voice trailed off as he looked at her properly for the first time. The first thing he noticed was that her hair, instead of being held up by an invisible arrangement of hairpins, was floating around her shoulders in beautiful golden waves.

"I'm sorry" he said embarrassed.

"No, it's fine." She replied. "They're lovely."

"I got them from Deling City, you see that main stone there is actually an energy crystal, which is why it has all the different colours – you don't have to wear them," he ended sheepishly.

"Don't be silly they're beautiful. I'll know they're there which is the most important thing."

She put them on delicately in the mirror enjoying the tinkling sound as the different crystal droplets brushed each other.

Squall looked at her again and noticed her made-up face and stylish black dress. He didn't like her with make-up he decided, it somehow took the edge off her natural waiflike beauty and turned her into a normal pretty girl. "You look nice" he repeated guardedly.

She laughed a laugh echoing the sound of her earrings. "Yeah, I'm going to a party. Coryn was meant to be taking me but," she glanced at the clock, "doesn't look like he's coming."

Squall looked at her controlled calm face, then watched as the corners of her mouth jerked involuntarily down. "Is your party the one in the main assembly room?"

She looked up. "Yeah"

"That's the one I'm here for. Wanna come with me?"

She smiled. "Yeah" she replied warmly.