********** V – An Awkward Situation **********

Two days after Rinoa's encounter with Seifer, Balamb Garden arrived in the vicinity of Timber. Selphie was ecstatic at seeing Irvine, and went to spend time with him.

Squall stayed cloistered inside his office, but the raven-haired woman had expected it. That night she had to attend yet another official soirée, and Zell offered to accompany her. There were several people already there when they arrived, and she greeted known faces as she made her way towards the buffet table – at the blond guy's insistence.

"Well, if it isn't the Owl-Princess." Said a feminine, and friendly voice behind Rinoa. It was Marla Santor of the Street-Cats, candidate for the Timber Progressive Party.

The hazel-eyed woman had to look up, for Marla was a good 6 feet 2 inches tall. She had long, wavy blonde hair and pale blue eyes. Her voice and demeanor were surprisingly gentle for someone so imposing.

"Marla, it's so good to see you again." Offered Rinoa, giving a hug to the tall woman.

* Ahem! * Intervened Zell.

"Oh, Marla, please meet Zell Dincht."

Marla's blue eyes looked down to the blond guy, "Hi, Zell, I've heard so much about you…"

"Lies, I tell you! All lies!" Exclaimed the martial artist, grinning maliciously.

The tall woman laughed merrily at his jest, "I see that some of it is true."

Rinoa had a question to ask her old friend, "Marla, I heard that you were stepping out of the election?"

"Well, yes." Confirmed the blonde woman, "I had no chance of winning, and my candidature would have split the vote for Ambrah. She offered me a position on her team, and I figured that I would do more good there."

Turning her attention to the martial artist, Marla inquired, "Say Zell, have you sampled some of Timber's delicacies?"

"Huh, nope," he confessed, "But I'm certainly open to suggestions."

Marla laughed again, her eyes sparkling with mirth, "Well, an open-minded man is always welcomed here."

"Huh, you hungry?" Inquired the blond guy candidly.

"I am now." Replied the tall woman, taking Zell's hand and leading him towards the food.

After Marla and Zell had left, chatting amicably, Rinoa met with the other candidates. She spotted Chrislen Khosgrove sipping a beer, and went to greet him.

"Ah, my Princess." Said Chrislen, bowing gracefully, "You are most beautiful tonight, as always…"

"Cut it out Chrislen," replied Rinoa good-humouredly, "I am impervious to your flattery."

His cobalt blue eyes shone with laugher, "It's good to see you again, Rinoa. Glad you could make it to this dull gathering."

She was in fact a little tired of the unending series of official parties. "One has to do what one has to do, Chrislen."

"That was what I used to tell you all the time, and you are right but I wish things were a little more exiting."

"Say," Inquired the raven-haired woman, "Why haven't you joined forces with Ambrah? It is quite obvious that she is the favorite, and I heard that she offered you to work with her."

"Ah, but we do not agree on what is best for Timber." He explained theatrically, "I have a dream, Rinoa, I have a vision. Unfortunately, my ideas are too grand for the common folk."

"People need stability, and Timber needs rebuilding." Said Rinoa, "Ambrah has been realistic about what she'll do once in power, and that it would take time and effort."

"Yes, I agree," he continued, "But people also need to look far into the future, and I can give them that. At any rate, the election is still two weeks and a few days away and the tides can change."

The hazel-eyed woman didn't think that Chrislen had a chance, but decided to keep that opinion to herself. He had courted the electorship Galbadia-style, making all sorts of promises that everybody knew he couldn't keep. His showmanship would have given him an edge in Deling, but the people of Timber had gone through hard times and wanted a down-to-earth leader, not a charismatic politician with obvious self-serving ambitions.

"Say, Rinoa," he suddenly asked, "Why haven't you showed your support to Ambrah?"

"Because my fame would have given her an unfair advantage." She explained, "I decided from the beginning not to show favoritism, I am supposed to be an impartial observer after all."

"So you won't officially embrace any of the candidates' agendas, even if you agree with them?"

"No, Chrislen." She confirmed, "I will remain neutral, but I will publicly give my approval to the elected government."

He didn't let it show on his features, but he was disappointed. He knew of her crush for him, and had hoped to rally her to his cause. There was still a chance, he had planned this for some time now and was ready to make his move. It was risky and quite a long shot, but it might just succeed…

"I am glad to hear you say that, we need more honesty in this world." He said, hoping to flatter her, "Listen, there is someone I would like you to meet."

Rinoa followed him, and he introduced her to a woman who could have been her sister. She recalled the concert, on the night Squall had pushed her away. Her chest tightened at the painful memory, but she kept her aplomb.

"Rinoa Heartilly, please meet a good friend of mine, Kathrya Moonbrook."

"Miss Heartilly," greeted the taller woman warmly, "It is such an honor to finally meet you."

"Please, call me Rinoa," replied the hazel-eyed sorceress, "I saw your performance in Balamb about three weeks ago, it was most delightful. I really loved that song about a thousand seas."

Kathrya looked positively pleased, "Thank you, Rinoa. It is one of my favorites, for its message is that none is an island, and we all need to reach out to others to be whole."

"Some seas are impossible to cross, Kathrya." Offered the young sorceress sadly.

"No, you are mistaken," continued the singer in a soothing voice and placing a comforting hand on Rinoa's shoulder, "Hard yes, but impossible never. That song was about someone I know, she was hurt once and became bitter and pushed others away."

"What happened to her?" Inquired the hazel-eyed woman, her interest suddenly awakened.

"She finally realized that not all people are the same, she then became a singer and now she expresses her feelings in song."

The young woman was friendly and Rinoa warmed to her. Sometimes you meet someone new, and for some reason you just feel like there is a connection – a friendship waiting to happen. She felt that Kathrya was one of those persons unable of deception, ready to give their hearts away because of their generous nature.

"You know, " said the younger woman, "People keep telling me how much I look like you."

"I know," agreed Rinoa, "That is what my fia… friend remarked that night."

"Yes," mused Chrislen with a satisfied grin, "You two are very alike, very much alike…"

---------- ---------- ----------

After some pleasant chatter, Chrislen led Kathrya away and the sorceress went to get some food. Rinoa joined a few conversations but her heart wasn't in it, as her thoughts kept returning to a certain dark, and handsome man.

Soon enough she got bored of the political debates people were indulging in. She decided to leave when it was announced that Kathrya's musicians couldn't make it, thus canceling the live entertainment expected for the evening.

Having nothing better to do, she headed back to her hotel. At the door of the room she shared with Selphie – it had been the brunette's idea to keep her company, for which she was glad – she heard noise inside.

'Selphie sure is in early,' she mused, 'I would have thought that she would spend more time with Irvine.'

Upon opening the door, Rinoa froze as she took in the scene at a glance. The remains of a meal were on a cart, and beside it there was an ice bucket with a wine bottle. But it was the view just in front of her that caused her to stare in pure shock.

Clothing was spread haphazardly on the floor and Selphie and Irvine were on one of the beds, facing the door. The brunette was on her knees, her hands gripping the bed's footboard, her head lightly turned towards her lover and her eyes closed in bliss. The sharpshooter was behind her, moving rhythmically and caressing and kissing her skin sensuously. Their bodies - naked apart from their wedding rings - gleamed with sweat, and soft moans escaped their parted lips, when they didn't claim each other's mouths deeply, and languorously – what was going on was unmistakable.

The cowboy looked up and noticed the raven-haired woman's presence, "Huh… Rinoa?" He said in surprise.

The brunette's eyes opened, "Ho! Hi, Rinny… I wasn't expecting you so early."

"Oh… I… sorry!" Blabbered Rinoa. She managed to shake her paralysis at the sight and closed the door. She heard laugher coming from the room, and felt her face becoming very hot. Completely embarrassed and at a loss at what to do, she decided to go to Zell's room. Selphie would know she went there, and then she would be able to properly apologize for walking in on them.

She had always been good friends with the blond guy, and thought that they would order pizza and watch TV like they used to do at Garden. Hopefully, the martial artist wouldn't notice her discomfort. She knocked and when the door opened a tall figure appeared. Rinoa found herself facing not Zell's features, but a towel covering a generous bosom. She looked up to a happy face framed by long, curly blond hair.

"Marla?" She managed to say, "What are you doing here?"

The tall woman smiled kindly, "Well, Zelly and I found out that we have a lot in common. We came here to watch Dragonball Z, and then one thing kind of led to another…"

Zell's voice came from the room, "Kitty-poo? Who is it?"

Rinoa shook her head in a negative gesture and put her finger to her lips. Marla understood and answered back, "It's room service, Zelly-baby, they forgot the hot-dogs!"

"Oh, tell them to double the order, will you?" He replied.

Rinoa was already going down the stairs at this point. She went to the bathroom on the lounge floor, and splashed cold water on her face.

"Is everyone in this Hyneforsaken town having sex except me?" She asked her reflection.

********** ********** **********

~ To Be Continued ~