Connections
By Tim Morris
Disclaimer I do not own any of the FF8/7 Character's (sighs) But I do own Colt, Paige, Jenn and Katrina
Chapter 2 The Mission
"He seemed like a nice guy. Kinda cute in a rebellious kind off way" Paige commented on Colt as the door closed behind him
"Yeah but I'm not in a position to say I'm taken" Selphie said "Hey Irvy were finished here how 'bout you"
" Yep close the rear hatch and lets get going. By the way who's flying." He asked
"I don't know Quisty wanted some more lessons' I thought maybe now would be a good time" Selphie mused.
Irvine walked over to the two girl's as the door closed when he got close to Selphie she embraced him in a bear hug. Irvine blushed
"Sefie there are other people here"
Paige giggled "oh don't mind me. Come on you two lovebird's we better get going."
"Sure" came the stereo reply from Selphie and Irvine. They than followed the route Colt had just taken.
*****
Quistis and Zell stood on one side of the Ragnarok's cockpit talking about who would receive what G.F. and who would go with whom. Squall sat in the navigator's seat and Rinoa sat next to him in the pilot's seat.
"So oh fearless leader where are we going" Rinoa joked playfully. She then noticed Squall was disinterested
"What's wrong" she questioned "you've been mulling over that map since we got here." Before Squall had time to think of an answer the lift to the cockpit rose up. Standing on it was Colt
"Hi" he said greeting everybody. Quistis immediately took a liking to him. Squall stood up
"Hello I'm Squall Leonheart" This he indicted Zell "Is Zell Dincht" Colt shook hand's with Zell "And standing next him is Quistis Trepe." Quistis smiled and said hello. "And last we have…" before he finished Rinoa jumped in
"Rinoa Heartilly" She Beamed always happy to meet new people "Nice to meet you"
"Your general Caraways daughter huh you don't remember me do you" he paused "well nice to meet you again ." Colt said
"Oh I remember you now you worked for HIM a few year's ago" Rinoa said the memory flooding back
"un huh" Colt said grinning " So how've you been keeping"
"Fairly good doin' the usual, becoming a Sorceress, saving all of time, getting engaged stuff like that" She said sarcastically flashing the ring Squall had given her.
"oh just the normal stuff then Rinny" Colt laughed " That's a nice ring, Good catch their Squall"
Squall smiled weekly "Okay let's get going" Everybody but Rinoa and Squall left the bridge.
"What the hell was that" Squall yelled when no one could here him
"He's an old friend. When I younger Colt came to work as a gardener for us. Back then the only 'friends' I had were high class snobs. Colt was different he was one of the first person besides mom to actually see me for a person. Also the reason Colt call's me Rinny was because he used to keep calling me Miss Caraway till I Yelled at him a told him that wasn't my name and to call me Rinny. Okay not that it's any business of yours" Rinoa said hands on her hip this deliberately fast so Squall could not a word in. Squall scratched the back of his head and avoided her gave
"Sorry" He said meekly.
"Thank you now shall we go" Rinoa said forgiving Squall. They then left as Selphie, Quistis and Paige came up the lift. As they passed Squall asked Selphie who seemed a little extra hyper even though she had ring's under her eyes.
"Are you flying us out to the Shumi village." He asked her .
"Nope Quisty wanted another flying lesson's and Paige wanted to watch if that's okay with you" she said rocking back and forth on her heel's.
"Whatever" Squall said then Rinoa, Quistis and Selphie laughed. Paige look slightly bemused. Selphie said between laughs "I'll tell you later"
******
The Shumi village appeared on the horizon as Quistis brought the Ragnarok in for a landing.
"Steady now" Selphie urged "Don't over do it, Keep her steady, Slow up a bit, we don't want to use the village as a stopping post."
"Thanks" Quistis said sarcastically
The Ragnarok descended towards the ground. Quistis eased up the throttle as the updraft blew up the freshly laid down powder. The Ragnarok gained a partial covering of snow as it set down.
"Landing complete" Quistis said through a deep sigh. "We better get down to the briefing room." Both girls got up and went down to the briefing room. Every body was there Squall stood at ease in the front of them arm's behind his back. Colt sat next to Rinoa on the front left row. Zell sat next to her. Quistis took a seat next to him and Selphie sat next to Paige and Irvine. There was much talking between the group Squall coughed and everybody stopped talking and looked at him.
"Right" He began "This mission is a direct order from Edea Kramer, The Shumi tribe, the president of Estar and the Trabain government. A new country called Wutai has appeared of the coast of Trabia we have been asked to land there secretly and hopefully open up diplomatic relations. Also we have been asked to find out how they disappeared and remained undetected. We will spilt into two groups one heading into the town of Wutai proper and the other will scout up the coast. This mission will be a minimum of two weeks. So try to stay out of trouble people. We will issue G.F.s tomorrow morning. We have a day here to buy extra supplies get some extra magic and anything we else we need meet back here tomorrow morning dismissed."
Everybody then got up and left they went back to their quarter's to get some over night things because the beds inside the Ragnarok were not that comfortable. In a few minutes they were all going down to the village by the lift. When they got there Squall, Zell and Irvine went off to book the reservations at the Inn. The girls went to sit by the pond and colt wet to look around he had never been to the village Colt took off his shirt because he found the village hotter than he liked the temperature. Colt had just left the artisan's house when he came across Paige, Rinoa, Selphie and Quistis sitting by the frog pond.
"Howdy girls" He said coolly.
"Hi Colt" They said in unison.
"Whacha talking about" Colt said as he took a seat next to Rinoa.
"Girl Stuff" Selphie said
"Hey does anybody know who designed this place the architecture is amazing down here" Colt said looking about
"No Idea" Said Rinoa
"Un,Un" Selphie shrugged.
"Nope you could probably ask the chief who did" Quistis suggested.
"Hey Paige are you O.K." Selphie asked the girl she had hardly spoken since they got here.
"Yeah just thin.." Paige started. But was interrupted buy a yell.
"Hey Rinoa, Selphie, Quistis" Zell yelled "Your room's are ready come. Book your selves in."
The three girls got up and walked over to the Inn. Leaving Colt and Paige alone together there was a nervous silence till Colt asked
"So when did you pass your SeeD exam" He asked.
"During the Sorceress war I was given the Seed rank for outstanding conduct during the battle of the two gardens." The slim girl answered "What about you" she asked.
"I passed just before Trabia got destroyed" Colt answered. "So this your first mission" He asked curiously
Paige paused before answering "no" she said quietly.
"So what was" Colt Pressed.
"My first mission was to lead the exploration and archaeological team that went the D.S.R.C (Deep Sea Research Center).
"Oh" was the only thing Colt could think of to say. He was mentally kicking himself. The mission ended with only three people surviving. The rest were killed by. His thought's were interrupted by the soft sound of tear's. "Paige" his voice lowered to whisper. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have pressed the subject." Colt wished his aunt was here to guide him. Even thought she wasn't his Aunt by blood. She was really good at making people feel better. She could cheer you up just by smiling.
"Its not your fault" Paige said between sniff's. "You couldn't have known."
"I…. I should have some I know was involved in that incident." Colt said slowly "Great way to console her Colt my boy" He said to him self. Colt nearly slammed his into the hard rock in frustration."
*****
Zell was walking down to the pond to get Colt and Paige when here heard crying. Zell looked ahead and saw Paige crying. Colt was sitting next to her not saying a word. Although he had only known her a few hours Zell felt the need to protect and stick up for her. He had always felt this way about people in need.
"What's Up" Zell asked looking darkly at Colt. Mouthing the words "what did you say?"
Colt stood up rising to his full height and retorted verbally "I said nothing."
"Yeah Bull shit."
Selphie and Irvine raced over seeing the hostility between Zell and Colt rising.
"Hey, Hey , Hey guy's cool down huh" Irvine said as Selphie helped Paige up and took her into the Inn. Colt apologised one more time then pulled on his T-shirt and walked off towards the lift. Zell saw Paige was still distraught and yelled to no one in particular
"Aw crap this I'm gonna teach him some manners" Zell said and he broke into a run. Irvine tried to stop him in vain.
At full speed Zell reached Colt in a few second's he lunged at him. With amazing speed Colt spun round and leapt into the air turning round in mid air. Zell missed his target by a good three feet and went sprawling into the side of a house. The painful impact opened up a cut on his forehead and the blood that ran down his face mixed with the dirt causing a nasty site. Ignoring the pain Zell jumped up to see Colt standing across from him knee's bent form the landing.
"How the.." Zell started before he was grabbed from behind by Irvine and a Shumi "Zell" Irvine growled through gitted teeth. "Leave It." Slowly Zell's struggling ceased.
"Now come back to the Inn, calm down and come back to the Inn and get cleaned up." Irvine ordered leading Zell away. Quistis walked up to Colt who now stood upright.
"Colt" She said softly "Paige wants to speak to you"
"Quistis I've known you less than a day and I've no right to ask you this what so ever. But can you say Squall sent me to get something from the ship. Or something like that please. I just wanna be alone right now." Colt virtually begged the blonde woman. Quistis looked like she was going to say no.
"Okay You'll need these the then" Quistis threw him a pair of key's
"Thanks I owe you one" Colt smiled weekly as he said this. "And don't tell Zell where I am. I don't want him charging after me doing the knight in shinning armour bit."
"Sure" she said as Colt walked off.
By Tim Morris
Disclaimer I do not own any of the FF8/7 Character's (sighs) But I do own Colt, Paige, Jenn and Katrina
Chapter 2 The Mission
"He seemed like a nice guy. Kinda cute in a rebellious kind off way" Paige commented on Colt as the door closed behind him
"Yeah but I'm not in a position to say I'm taken" Selphie said "Hey Irvy were finished here how 'bout you"
" Yep close the rear hatch and lets get going. By the way who's flying." He asked
"I don't know Quisty wanted some more lessons' I thought maybe now would be a good time" Selphie mused.
Irvine walked over to the two girl's as the door closed when he got close to Selphie she embraced him in a bear hug. Irvine blushed
"Sefie there are other people here"
Paige giggled "oh don't mind me. Come on you two lovebird's we better get going."
"Sure" came the stereo reply from Selphie and Irvine. They than followed the route Colt had just taken.
*****
Quistis and Zell stood on one side of the Ragnarok's cockpit talking about who would receive what G.F. and who would go with whom. Squall sat in the navigator's seat and Rinoa sat next to him in the pilot's seat.
"So oh fearless leader where are we going" Rinoa joked playfully. She then noticed Squall was disinterested
"What's wrong" she questioned "you've been mulling over that map since we got here." Before Squall had time to think of an answer the lift to the cockpit rose up. Standing on it was Colt
"Hi" he said greeting everybody. Quistis immediately took a liking to him. Squall stood up
"Hello I'm Squall Leonheart" This he indicted Zell "Is Zell Dincht" Colt shook hand's with Zell "And standing next him is Quistis Trepe." Quistis smiled and said hello. "And last we have…" before he finished Rinoa jumped in
"Rinoa Heartilly" She Beamed always happy to meet new people "Nice to meet you"
"Your general Caraways daughter huh you don't remember me do you" he paused "well nice to meet you again ." Colt said
"Oh I remember you now you worked for HIM a few year's ago" Rinoa said the memory flooding back
"un huh" Colt said grinning " So how've you been keeping"
"Fairly good doin' the usual, becoming a Sorceress, saving all of time, getting engaged stuff like that" She said sarcastically flashing the ring Squall had given her.
"oh just the normal stuff then Rinny" Colt laughed " That's a nice ring, Good catch their Squall"
Squall smiled weekly "Okay let's get going" Everybody but Rinoa and Squall left the bridge.
"What the hell was that" Squall yelled when no one could here him
"He's an old friend. When I younger Colt came to work as a gardener for us. Back then the only 'friends' I had were high class snobs. Colt was different he was one of the first person besides mom to actually see me for a person. Also the reason Colt call's me Rinny was because he used to keep calling me Miss Caraway till I Yelled at him a told him that wasn't my name and to call me Rinny. Okay not that it's any business of yours" Rinoa said hands on her hip this deliberately fast so Squall could not a word in. Squall scratched the back of his head and avoided her gave
"Sorry" He said meekly.
"Thank you now shall we go" Rinoa said forgiving Squall. They then left as Selphie, Quistis and Paige came up the lift. As they passed Squall asked Selphie who seemed a little extra hyper even though she had ring's under her eyes.
"Are you flying us out to the Shumi village." He asked her .
"Nope Quisty wanted another flying lesson's and Paige wanted to watch if that's okay with you" she said rocking back and forth on her heel's.
"Whatever" Squall said then Rinoa, Quistis and Selphie laughed. Paige look slightly bemused. Selphie said between laughs "I'll tell you later"
******
The Shumi village appeared on the horizon as Quistis brought the Ragnarok in for a landing.
"Steady now" Selphie urged "Don't over do it, Keep her steady, Slow up a bit, we don't want to use the village as a stopping post."
"Thanks" Quistis said sarcastically
The Ragnarok descended towards the ground. Quistis eased up the throttle as the updraft blew up the freshly laid down powder. The Ragnarok gained a partial covering of snow as it set down.
"Landing complete" Quistis said through a deep sigh. "We better get down to the briefing room." Both girls got up and went down to the briefing room. Every body was there Squall stood at ease in the front of them arm's behind his back. Colt sat next to Rinoa on the front left row. Zell sat next to her. Quistis took a seat next to him and Selphie sat next to Paige and Irvine. There was much talking between the group Squall coughed and everybody stopped talking and looked at him.
"Right" He began "This mission is a direct order from Edea Kramer, The Shumi tribe, the president of Estar and the Trabain government. A new country called Wutai has appeared of the coast of Trabia we have been asked to land there secretly and hopefully open up diplomatic relations. Also we have been asked to find out how they disappeared and remained undetected. We will spilt into two groups one heading into the town of Wutai proper and the other will scout up the coast. This mission will be a minimum of two weeks. So try to stay out of trouble people. We will issue G.F.s tomorrow morning. We have a day here to buy extra supplies get some extra magic and anything we else we need meet back here tomorrow morning dismissed."
Everybody then got up and left they went back to their quarter's to get some over night things because the beds inside the Ragnarok were not that comfortable. In a few minutes they were all going down to the village by the lift. When they got there Squall, Zell and Irvine went off to book the reservations at the Inn. The girls went to sit by the pond and colt wet to look around he had never been to the village Colt took off his shirt because he found the village hotter than he liked the temperature. Colt had just left the artisan's house when he came across Paige, Rinoa, Selphie and Quistis sitting by the frog pond.
"Howdy girls" He said coolly.
"Hi Colt" They said in unison.
"Whacha talking about" Colt said as he took a seat next to Rinoa.
"Girl Stuff" Selphie said
"Hey does anybody know who designed this place the architecture is amazing down here" Colt said looking about
"No Idea" Said Rinoa
"Un,Un" Selphie shrugged.
"Nope you could probably ask the chief who did" Quistis suggested.
"Hey Paige are you O.K." Selphie asked the girl she had hardly spoken since they got here.
"Yeah just thin.." Paige started. But was interrupted buy a yell.
"Hey Rinoa, Selphie, Quistis" Zell yelled "Your room's are ready come. Book your selves in."
The three girls got up and walked over to the Inn. Leaving Colt and Paige alone together there was a nervous silence till Colt asked
"So when did you pass your SeeD exam" He asked.
"During the Sorceress war I was given the Seed rank for outstanding conduct during the battle of the two gardens." The slim girl answered "What about you" she asked.
"I passed just before Trabia got destroyed" Colt answered. "So this your first mission" He asked curiously
Paige paused before answering "no" she said quietly.
"So what was" Colt Pressed.
"My first mission was to lead the exploration and archaeological team that went the D.S.R.C (Deep Sea Research Center).
"Oh" was the only thing Colt could think of to say. He was mentally kicking himself. The mission ended with only three people surviving. The rest were killed by. His thought's were interrupted by the soft sound of tear's. "Paige" his voice lowered to whisper. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have pressed the subject." Colt wished his aunt was here to guide him. Even thought she wasn't his Aunt by blood. She was really good at making people feel better. She could cheer you up just by smiling.
"Its not your fault" Paige said between sniff's. "You couldn't have known."
"I…. I should have some I know was involved in that incident." Colt said slowly "Great way to console her Colt my boy" He said to him self. Colt nearly slammed his into the hard rock in frustration."
*****
Zell was walking down to the pond to get Colt and Paige when here heard crying. Zell looked ahead and saw Paige crying. Colt was sitting next to her not saying a word. Although he had only known her a few hours Zell felt the need to protect and stick up for her. He had always felt this way about people in need.
"What's Up" Zell asked looking darkly at Colt. Mouthing the words "what did you say?"
Colt stood up rising to his full height and retorted verbally "I said nothing."
"Yeah Bull shit."
Selphie and Irvine raced over seeing the hostility between Zell and Colt rising.
"Hey, Hey , Hey guy's cool down huh" Irvine said as Selphie helped Paige up and took her into the Inn. Colt apologised one more time then pulled on his T-shirt and walked off towards the lift. Zell saw Paige was still distraught and yelled to no one in particular
"Aw crap this I'm gonna teach him some manners" Zell said and he broke into a run. Irvine tried to stop him in vain.
At full speed Zell reached Colt in a few second's he lunged at him. With amazing speed Colt spun round and leapt into the air turning round in mid air. Zell missed his target by a good three feet and went sprawling into the side of a house. The painful impact opened up a cut on his forehead and the blood that ran down his face mixed with the dirt causing a nasty site. Ignoring the pain Zell jumped up to see Colt standing across from him knee's bent form the landing.
"How the.." Zell started before he was grabbed from behind by Irvine and a Shumi "Zell" Irvine growled through gitted teeth. "Leave It." Slowly Zell's struggling ceased.
"Now come back to the Inn, calm down and come back to the Inn and get cleaned up." Irvine ordered leading Zell away. Quistis walked up to Colt who now stood upright.
"Colt" She said softly "Paige wants to speak to you"
"Quistis I've known you less than a day and I've no right to ask you this what so ever. But can you say Squall sent me to get something from the ship. Or something like that please. I just wanna be alone right now." Colt virtually begged the blonde woman. Quistis looked like she was going to say no.
"Okay You'll need these the then" Quistis threw him a pair of key's
"Thanks I owe you one" Colt smiled weekly as he said this. "And don't tell Zell where I am. I don't want him charging after me doing the knight in shinning armour bit."
"Sure" she said as Colt walked off.