*** Ghost from Christmas Present ***
There was a blinding light, and the second ghost of Christmas Eve appeared. She was a fairy, wearing an elaborate pink dress with numerous ribbons, her shimmering wings fluttered gently and she held a staff topped with a silver star.
Our taciturn friend's head popped up, and he looked at the apparition with surprise.
"Squall, I am the ghost of Christmas present," She announced, "I am here to show you what your actions are creating."
"Selphie???" Exclaimed Squall.
"Yup! Now, are you ready to go?" replied the brunette merrily. ~^_^~
He frowned in annoyance, "Leave me alone! And you look ridiculous by the way!"
"Now, listen here!" She exclaimed.
"Whatever."
"YOU LISTEN TO ME SQUALL 'GRUMPY' LEONHART! I ONLY TOOK THIS JOB TO PAY FOR MY BILLS AND I HATE THIS DRESS AND THE STRAPS OF THE WINGS ARE CHAFFING MY SKIN AND THESE SHOES ARE A TORTURE AND I REALLY WANT TO GO BACK TO THE PARTY WITH THE OTHERS AND I HAVE A SERIOUS CASE OF PMS SO DON'T MESS WITH ME!"
Squall decided that it would be safer to comply. Selphie could get quite scary when she was in one of her moods. "Huh, all right, lets go then…" He said.
"BOOYAKA! We'll have so much fun!" – and with that she took a communicator from the folds of her dress. "Scotty! Two to beam to coordinates 13-05-3,1416!"
* Squall & Selphie disappear Star Trek style and rematerialize on one of Balamb Garden's balconies *
"What the?.." Inquired a puzzled Squall.
"The writer is a Star Trek fan," explained the fairy, "Don't ask…"
"Whatever."
"That's the spirit!" chirped Selphie, "Now, look inside."
The balcony was the one Rinoa shared with Quistis. Squall did as Selphie ordered and saw the raven-haired sorceress busy at work. She was knitting something out of multicolored balls of wool.
"What is she doing?" Inquired the dark-haired guy, "It looks like a sweater for a snake."
"She's knitting a warm sheath for your Gunblade." Answered the brunette.
Squall rolled his eyes, "I don't believe this!"
"I don't believe it either." Agreed Selphie, "I never knew Rinny could knit that well."
He rolled his eyes again, 'Why me Hyne? Why me?'
"Don't you see, Squall?" Said Selphie, "You have a woman that loves you, and friends who care for you, but you are pushing them all away. You'll end up alone and bitter, is that what you want?"
"Whatever."
"All right! That does it!" Exclaimed the brunette "They don't pay me enough to endure this! Scotty, one sourpuss to teleport to his office!"
----------
After Squall rematerialized inside his office, he drank some more eggnog. This time he seriously doubted that it was all a dream. As he was seating himself, there was a knock at the door. He opened and there were Dr.Odine and Ward.
"Merree Chrishmash, Shquall!" Announced the crazy so-called scientist. [Have I mentioned that I hate Odine?]
"What do you want, Odine?" asked our friend.
"Jusht too cheer you up!" replied the ugly guy "Ready, Ward? Ande a one, ande a twoo, ande a three!"
Ward was playing an oboe, quite a complex instrument that is really hard on the performer's mouth (according to the information given to me by Cathy the Boff – hope your lips are better Cathy).
Squall hated the oboe. Years back, Cid had forced him to enroll in the Garden's music band to improve his social skills. The only instrument left had been, you guess it, the oboe. He hadn't become more sociable, but he had gained a permanent pout in the ordeal.
As the big guy played his instrument, Dr.Odine sang awfully loud and off-key:
VILL ZE DECKS VITH VOUGHTS OVE HOLEE!
VALALALALA LALA LA LA!
ZIS ZE TIME TOO BEE JOLEE!
VALALALALA LALA LA LA!
LA LALALA LA LALALA!
LALALA LALALA LA LA LA…
*** BLAM!!! *** - A really pissed-off Squall banged the door very, very hard.
"I guezz dat hee ishn't in ze Holydaysh shpirit." Commented Odine.
"…" Replied Ward.
"Sho true, sho true." Agreed the tabletop-wearing scientist to his companion's wise words.
And then they left to join the party.
----------
