A pair of indigo eyes covered by a black mask was the first thing she saw. She blinked, eyes trailing downwards. A cloak covered most of his form, as dark as the evening sky, adorned with shimmering seeds, as though the night had wrapped itself around him.
He pulled back, a wry grin teasing his lips.
"I've brought you, a gift."
She took a step back, as an iced over globe appeared in his hand. He started to twirl it between his fingers, eyes never leaving hers. It seemed as though he was waiting for an answer.
"What... What is it?" She had finally found her voice.
"Merely a crystal, nothing more..." It stopped spinning, and held out to her.
"But if you turn it this way, and look into it..."
He rotated his wrist slowly to the left, the globe melting, suddenly bursting into silver colored flames. A pair of figures waltzed around a room.
"It will show you... Your dreams."
That was when the room flared into light. As she gasped, Irvine bowed to her, taking a step back before melding into the dancers.
Although not that many chandlers were lit, the entire room had been walled with mirrors. Every where she looked, all she could see were the swirling reflections of the dancers, the soft glow of the candles. She took a step forward, then a step back, unsure of where to go or what to do.
She'd awoken in a fairy tale. But how.... Who...? As she continued gazing around, she decided to finally make her way forward. Music started up, a familiar, haunting tune. Even without David Bowie's voice, it spoke of sadness, of longing of love....
After a few feet, she saw a flash of blonde hair from behind a silver fan. As the girl moved away from his face, he turned and glanced at Selphie. She froze on the spot, as he started to walk towards her. Dark blonde locks brushed the front of his black leather vest; the etched dragons done in ruby, matching the color of the crushed velvet he wore beneath. Ruby tights were mostly hidden beneath the ends of his vest and the boots that ended mid thigh. As he came closer, she realized it wasn't Jareth... It was... Seifer?
"I move the stars for no one." He whispered huskily as he drew closer, taking her hand and pulling towards the throng of dancers. They danced for a few beats of music before he smiled and took a few steps back. She blinked; knowing that Seifer did not have a set of perfectly sculpted fangs.
The music stopped, and she took the chance to walk through the crowd, trying to find more of her friends. If Seifer and Irvine were here... The others had to be as well, right? She was still trying to rack her brain with who could have done this for her. Although her heart was screaming Squall's name, there was still a bit of disbelief on her brain's part.
Another man came towards her, features hidden by the snow owl mask he wore. But inky locks brushed against the color of the downy cloak he wore, making him known.
Blue eyes smiled as he held out a hand to her, and she accepted it.
"I've turned the world upside down... And I've done it all for you."
That was when the music was cued up again, and Laguna lead her towards two masked women. One was dressed in blue, with black curls tumbling about her shoulders; the other dressed in pale peach, hair a golden shawl around her. They held mirrored fans, and as they neared, the fans were slowly pulled back.
There's such a sad love, deep in your eyes...
Between them, stood Jareth. Highly polished black boots ended just above the top of his knees, edged in pale silver. Dove gray tights were tucked into the boots topped by a black vest and snowy white shirt. The frock coat he wore was cut so the lapels ended a bit below his waist. It was also cut in the back to resemble a cloak, ending at boot heel length. Dark blue velvet was draped over a set of broad shoulders, bordered by silken strands of silver and sprinkled with sapphires. As he moved the demon faced mask away, Selphie felt the world sway crazily beneath her. Locks of platinum framed a pair of mismatched eyes, silver and one a deeper hazel/green.
A kind of pale jewel, open and closed within your eyes. I'll place the sky within your eyes.
A slight smile tipped his lips as he studied her. She looked like faery, come to life. Clothed in a gown of spider web silver, snowflake white. Sprinkled in the morning dew, alight with the inner glow that was only hers. Her eyes seemed even wider, edged in dark green and blue, lashes tinted a deep black.
A cant of his head, and the women took a step back, smiling at her. She glanced towards the left one, and Quistis just smiled. Her gaze went to the right, and Rinoa winked at her.
Then he stepped forward, and held a hand out to her. For a moment, she was frozen, unsure if she should take his hand or not. This was her dream come to life, but she was suddenly scared that she'd awaken, to find it was nothing but a dream. Or that she would walk forward and suddenly fall, as she was prone to do.
It was as if he sensed her nervousness, and walked towards her. It wasn't far; perhaps a foot or two, but his own set of nerves had hit him. He trembled a bit as she finally slipped her hand into his proffered one. He led her back towards the sea of dancers, watching as they parted upon their approach.
There's such a fooled heart, beating so fast. In search of new dreams, a love that will last.
When they reached the middle of the floor, he turned to face her, placing his left hand on her waist. She smiled up at him slightly, and he waited for her hand to rest upon his shoulder before they began to dance.
A love that will last within your heart. I'll place the moon within your heart.
As they started to waltz, the other dancers waited a beat before allowing the music to move them as well. They swirled around the two upon the center of the floor, sharing the dance yet not part of it. Squall pulled her closer, singing the next verse of the song to her.
"As the pain sweeps through, makes no sense for you... Every thrill has gone, wasn't too much fun at all... But I'll be there for you, as the world falls down..."
Falling (As the world), Falling down, Falling in Love....
Irvine stood next to Rinoa, both watching Squall and Selphie.
"They look beautiful together..."
Irvine nodded, slipping his hand over hers. He entwined their fingers, smiling when she squeezed his hand slightly. Both had felt a little odd in granting this request, but they had wanted to return the unconditional acceptance they'd been shown. Squall and Selphie were still very special to them, and both were happy they'd finally found each other.
"I love you..."
Rinoa smiled, pulling him down for a kiss. "I love you, too."
"I'll paint you mornings of gold, I'll spin you Valentine evenings..."
Quistis, to her credit, didn't jump. But instead shivered slightly as the words were whispered in her ear. The lightest brush of lips against her cheek followed this, and as she turned, her eyes locked with Seifer's.
Through we're strangers till now, We're choosing the path between the stars.
I'll lay my love between the stars.
The play of light against the mirrors, and the gauzy fabric gave the room an ethereal look, Selphie still felt as though she'd slipped into a dream. But it was one she never wanted to awake from.
Her fingers played with the jewels affixed to the collar of his jacket, and then moved upwards to toy with the silky strands of silvers that fell against his cheek.
Squall arched a brow, and at the moment, she knew it was he. She thought so, but now she knew for sure. She couldn't believe he'd do this for her. All in regards to an innocent comment she made, not more then a few weeks ago.
"Squall...."
He tilted his head to the side, waiting to see if she had more to say. She smiled, and sang the same verse back to him.
"As the pain sweeps through, makes to sense to you... Every thrill has gone, wasn't too much fun at all. But I'll be there for you, as the world falls down."
Falling (As the world falls), Falling down, Falling...
As the world falls down
Falling
Falling
Falling in Love...
A clock chimed somewhere, causing the other dancers came to a graceful halt, as did the two in the center of the floor. Selphie blinked as Squall placed a hand under her chin, gently tilting her head up. He started to lean forward, mismatched eyes locked upon her own.
"Just love me... And I will be your slave...."
She knew he had quoted it wrong, but it didn't matter, as she didn't allow him to close the gap between them. His eyes widened as she kissed him, slowly closing as he wound his arms around her.
Applause broke out, as did a cheer, which Zell was promptly elbowed for.
--
Notes: I might do one more chapter, or leave it with this, it's up to y'all. ^_^
Lyrics from 'As the World Falls Down' - David Bowie. Quotes/costumes taken from Labyrinth, Characters belong to FFVIII/Square.
One again a HUGE Thank you to everyone. ^_^
