*** A Change Of Heart ***
Squall woke up on the floor of his office. "Damn eggnog!" He exclaimed, rose up and winced.
The fronts of his legs were really painful, and he lifted his pants to discover bluish bruises there. It was as if someone had kicked him repeatedly…
He was getting really confused, and seriously doubting that it was the eggnog's fault after all. Our friend decided that there would be no harm in going to the party, and left for the Quad to have a little talk with his friends.
He made a remarked entrance, as all faces turned to him in disbelief. Selphie greeted him cheerfully, "Merry Christmas, Squall! Rinny is going to be so happy that you changed your mind."
"Say, Selphie." Apologized the dark-haired guy, "I am sorry about what I told you earlier, you looked good in that fairy's outfit."
The green-eyed girl gave him a puzzled look, "Huh, fairy's outfit? What are you talking about?"
"Come on, I'm not that naïve." Said Squall defensively, "And where is Laguna?"
"Are you sure you feel all right, Squall?" Inquired the brunette with concern, "The Ragnarock is grounded for repairs, and Sir Laguna will only be here later."
"Err, what about Seifer and Fujin?" Asked the Commander.
"They've been here all evening," replied Selphie, "Did you know that they're dating now? I'm so happy for Fuji. And are you sure you're OK?"
"Huh, yes." He said, "Too much eggnog, I guess."
Satisfied with his explanation, the diminutive SeeD left. Our broody friend was really, reeeaaaaally perplexed at this point. He looked out to one of the balconies, and spotted a figure there spying on the festivities inside.
Squall hurried outside and the figure turned, spreading dark wings and getting ready for flight. The dark-haired man had time to see a face painted with red lines, an even after all those years -and use of GFs- he recognized the young woman.
"Ulti, stop!" he ordered.
The young sorceress hesitated, for his voice had carried more of a plea than a demand.
She faced him slowly, "What do you want, Skuall…"
"What are you doing here, Ulti?" he inquired.
"I was doing nothing wrong," She explained, "I just kome here every year to look at happy people…"
"Don't you have any friends?"
"No, people laugh at me bekause of the way I talk." She said with tears in her eyes, "I am really lonely, and I started building a kastle near the old orphanage to pass the time."
"Ulti, I am sorry I was so mean to you when we were kids." He apologized.
She looked up, "Really?"
"Yes, really."
"Oh, Skuall! I knew that you kan't be that kruel after all! I was so angry that I wanted to kill everybody, but now I've changed my mind." She exclaimed, and hugged the Commander tightly – much to his annoyance.
"Skuall is that your Gunblade or are you just happy to see me?" She inquired merrily.
"It… is... my... Gunblade…" He replied with pain in his eyes. 'This secret pocket is more trouble than it's worth!' he thought. [A/N: now you know where he hides his weapon ^_^ ]
At that moment, Raijin stepped on the balcony, "He, Squall. Rinoa is looking for yah, yah know… Oh! Sorry, am I interrupting something?"
"Huh, no." Replied the Commander, "Raijin meet Ulti. Ulti, this is Raijin."
The sorceress eyed the big guy appreciatively, "Hi there, handsome. Kare to dance?"
"Take good care of her, Raijin." Said Squall, "That is a direct order. The fate of the world rests in your hands." – 'And it will keep your big paws off Rinoa!' he added to himself.
As the Commander left, Raijin was at a loss about what to do. He had always been shy around attractive women, and he tried to remember what Irvine had taught him.
"So, what about that dance?" Insisted Ulti.
"Huh, sure, yah know. And you're really pretty and you smell good, yah know." Replied the big guy gallantly.
She smiled at the compliment. For the first time in a very long while, the sorceress felt happiness and her heart grew three sizes bigger (it had been two sizes too small previously).
Love had, once again, saved the day. ^_^
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A/N: I just felt bad for poor Ulti, and Raijin is also always left behind. I just wanted to correct those injustices. Next chapter will be more humorous ^_^
