Chapter Nine: Awakenings

Merrick had been laying on a medical bed. He was still knocked out from the night before.
He had just started to come around, and he noticed his shirt was of and he had bandages
on the better part of his chest and head. Rinoa was sitting by his side.

"Hey," Rinoa said with a faint smile on her face. "Nice to see youre coming around."

"W-what happened? How long have I been out?"

"Oh, you know, same old thing, the Master rose and died but now squall's the master and quisty's
dead. Needless to say, I sucked." Rinoa looked away. "You've been out for about a day."

"Well, certainly a lot has happened since I've been unconcious. Where are we?"

"Oh, we were saved by our old friends. Apparently they get their slayage on in ample doses as well."
As Rinoa said that, Edea walked in the room, her hair cascading down her white tee.

"Ah, master Merrick. You are awake. Welcome back to the world of the concious." She smiled, checking
his bandages.

"If this is the world of the concious, then someone hit me on the head with a brick, so I can see
pretty floaty things." Rinoa quipped.

"Oh, but then we wouldn't have our knight in shining...uh...leather pants." Zell was in the doorway,
soda in hand, commenting on Rinoa's wardrobe change.

"Hey, these are very pretty pants!" Rinoa laughed and started to chase Zell around the building.
***************

Squall was in the Hull of his rickety airship. They would be arriving at the Centra Ruins any minute
now. Not many people know about this site, and it has long underground tunnels perfect for a clan
of vampires. Quistis' body was in front of him. He was waking for her to join his side once again.
Then, her eyes flashed open.

"Where am I?" She asked, holding her neck.

"You're with me in my airship, My queen."

"Aww, how sweet." She looked over her outfit. " Ick! pink? Got any black leather?"

Squall smiled. She was perfectly aware of what she was now, and she liked it.

"Yes, wait here." He quickly retrieved some clothing and handed it to her. He turned to leave.

"Wait. What did you mean by queen?" She asked curiously. Squall smiled.

"I'm the Master, and there always was a sexual tension between us. I like you, and now you will
be my queen." He kissed her hand gently.

"Aww, thanks." She kissed him quick on the lips. "Gosh, Im hungry. Got anything to eat?"

"Yes, I'll go fetch them."
***************

Selphie and Irvine had left Edea's condo in lower Esthar to go for a walk. They were seated in a
quiant little restaurant in the mall, chatting.

"So, Have you been on any missions since the incident?" He said, sipping his drink.

"Only one. I had to go help rid Trabia Garden of monsters so they could re-build. Not really a
big deal. Zell did get a nasty rash from a grat, though. You should of seen him, he couldnt stop
scratching and... well thats about it. So, what about you?"

"Well, I had to take out someone after the headmaster of Galbadia Garden. That was pretty tense.
Reminds me of the time we had to assassinate Edea. Good thing we missed. Edea's a nice woman."

"Did I ever tell you how Zell, Quisty and I got stuck in the sewers? Man, Deling has a massive
sewer system. Stinky too." Their food arrived at the table, and Selphie was starved from all the
fighting the night before. "Booyaka! Im starving."

Selphies eyes twinkled in a most beautiful way to Irvine. He wanted to come out and say he loved
her, but couldn't. But he was sure he'd know when the time was right. Soon, they'd be together again...