Chapter 3- To Esthar!
Quistis got up early at 4:30, to make sure she had everything and was not rushed to meet Squall and Rinoa at the entrance of the Garden. For some odd reason, she felt very jumpy today-not her usual cool self. Her heart began to pound a bit faster every time she thought of Squall, the one thought in her mind she seemed content with at the moment.
'A couple days with Squall. better not make an ass of yourself Trepe. Rinoa's going to cling onto him like Velcro' she thought to herself.
Making sure she had extra clothes to wear, she packed an extra white t- shirt and blue jeans (that she herself did not know she owned,) and put them into her small bag. Quistis looked up at the digital clock in her room, to find she had 15 minutes until she was going to spend a miserable week with the company of Squall, and the "wonderful" Rinoa.
Sighing, she mumbled "Rinoa. you took him away from me."
Quistis picked up her two small bags-the one with the dress, the other with her necessities, and walked out of her room and through Balamb Garden until she reached the entrance. Squall stood their waiting with his hands in his pockets, his head down.
"Hey Squall, where's Rin at?" Quistis asked as she approached the brunette.
'She's not here. maybe.'
Squall looked up at Quistis, getting ready to answer, when someone piped up behind the tall blond woman.
"HEY! Sorry I'm late! I guess I hit the snooze button on my alarm! Geez- my first mission and I'm late! Gosh, I'm sorry Squall!" Rinoa walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Do you forgive me?"
'Oh, please!'
"Rinoa."Squall started to say something, but Quistis cut him off, sparing herself to hear all of the forgiving "it's okay" stuff.
"Hey, it's almost 6:00, we're going to be late for the train if you guys keep talking! We got to go now!"
Squall stared at the clock, and nodded in agreement. He brought Rinoa's arms off of his shoulders, and walked on ahead of the two women.
"Are you nervous?" Rinoa asked Quistis as they walked out to the cab.
"Why would I be nervous? I don't even know what we're going to be doing! It's probably something really tedious, like escorting Laguna to the event we're dressing up for."
Squall opened the door for the ladies, and they kindly thanked him and slid into the back of the cab. Quistis made sure Rinoa went in first, so she sat in between her and Squall. It was a small car, so when Squall sat down and closed the door, they were all squished together.
'Hey, I don't mind this arrangement.'
She looked over at Rinoa who seemed content and bubbly with herself, while to her right, Squall was fidgeting, trying to find where he can put his arm.
Casually Quistis, hoping not to show sheer excitement, asked politely, "You can put your arm around me. I don't think Rin will care! It's not like I'm going to try to seduce you!" Quistis let out a little chuckle with that statement.
'Unless you want me to.'
Squall hesitantly put his arm around Quistis, feeling a lot better now that his arm wasn't in the way.
'Wow, he smells nice.'
Although the short cab ride was extremely pleasant for Quistis, the train and boat ride were torturous. Rinoa stuck to Squall like glue. All she did the whole way there was ask questions about the mission that no one could answer. Yes, Quistis did understand that it was her first mission as a SEED, but she was just a little too overexcited. Quistis noticed most of the way that he looked a little irritated with Rinoa, but somehow he just let it go.
Quistis was standing at the back edge of the ship, watching the water splash from beneath it.
'I would've thrown her off the boat if I was him.' Quistis thought, then turned around to look at Squall sitting on one of the benches bolted to the deck. The expression on his face was so gloomy, that made Quistis burst into hysterics.
Horrified, Squall stared at the blond. "What are you laughing at?" he asked with the same expression on his face.
Still laughing, Quistis replied "You just look like you're having a great time aren't you!" her laughs turned into a smile.
Squall looked to the ground, trying to hide the slight smile on his face.
'Hmm.'
"Squall, are you- SMILING? I think you are!" Quistis began to play around with him. "Your face was just hysterical! You looked like this-"she paused to imitate Squall.
Squall got up from the bench and looked up still half-smiling,, becoming a bit red with embarrassment. "Wow, I did look pretty funny. I didn't notice that I was doing that!" He began to laugh too.
"Wow, I didn't think that was possible being around me! Squall Leonheart, smiling at a joke I made?"
"Well, usually the only jokes come out of Irvine or Selphie, not you!" Squall said, his laugh fading into the small smile he had before. He stared at the blond glistening in the sun for a moment. "Listen- I." he began.
"SQUALL! We're almost there!" Rinoa came running up from the other end of the ship. "I can't wait! This is so exciting! She grabbed his hand and led him towards the front of the boat.
Squall turned his head around towards Quistis, and then mouthed the words "Thank you."
'Thank you? Thank you for what? Making you laugh? Not being clingy? Not being- Rinoa?' Quistis sighed, looked down at the wooden floor of the deck, and walked forward to the front of the boat to meet up with them.
They arrived at the docks, to be greeted by Kiros.
"Good morning Commander Leonheart, Lieutenant Trepe, Ms. Heartilly." He greeted then bowed.
"Please Kiros, just call us by our first names, it's quicker that way." Squall commented, who hated being called Commander.
"I'm sorry Squall, I'll remember that. Please ladies, let us take your bags and put them in the back of the van." He motioned for Squall to take Quistis' bags, while Kiros took Rinoa's and put them into the back of the hunter green van.
Rinoa grinned at Quistis. "Hey, I'm not complaining!"
'Maybe Rinoa isn't all that dumb- wait. What am I talking about! I don't give her enough credit I guess. Ha. Snap out of it Quis!'
The group got into the van.
"Our destination is the winter lodge that Laguna is staying at for the time- being, while renovations are being completed at his home in the main city of Esthar. So you will be staying with us at the lodge" Kiros explained.
'Yes! No hotel room to share with Rinoa!' Quistis thought happily to herself.
"Kiros, do you have any idea what this mission is about?" Squall asked curiously.
"Not a clue, not a clue at all. All I know is we all are attending the annual Esthar Gala, and he wanted you there Squall, since you are his son."
Squall stared out the window watching the trees fly by as the van drove up the mountainous terrain. "Well, he better not be mixing business with his personal life. he could call me if he needs to talk about this whole deal."
"Oh, I don't think that is the case Squall. He just has been keeping to himself a lot lately. " Kiros reassured him.
"Now, who does that sound like?" Rinoa piped up, smiling at Squall.
"Whatever." Squall said, still looking out the window. "How far is this lodge?"
"Don't worry, we're almost there. About 10 more minutes."
Those ten minutes went painfully slow. During that time it was eerily quiet in the van- Rinoa didn't even talk. For Quistis, it was relaxing. It gave her time to think about what she'll do while she's in Esthar.
'Maybe I can go shopping for myself. buy myself a present- oh, how conceited is that! Maybe I could do some window-shopping. and I'll go out to dinner too. just by myself. Squall and Rinoa will probably want time alone- but wait. Squall doesn't WANT to be alone with her, does he? Oh, well. Ever since they first kissed, they've been branded a couple. Maybe it wasn't like that. but why should I care! Because I love Squall. but why? I know it's not a sisterly bond. it's way more than that. He is so smart, and intelligent, and not to mention very attractive. If only he could see who I really am- I'm not just his co-worker. I'm his friend.'
"Quistis? Quisty, we're here." Rinoa tapped the sleeping Quistis on her on the shoulder, whispering to her so she wouldn't be too startled.
"Oh, thanks Rinoa." Quistis replied slowly opening her eyes, stretching her arms out. She scooted her way out of the van, and took a look at the place she was about to stay in for the next few days.
'A mansion! Whoa.'
Laguna came outside and greeted the gang. "Hi! Welcome to my second humble abode!" Here, us guys here will take your bags and you two can go right inside- the maids will show you to your rooms." Laguna said, going to the trunk of the van to get the bags.
Quistis and Rinoa made their way inside the huge castle-like mansion, where they met the maids. The bedrooms were bigger than the classrooms in Balamb- they each had a great extent of lighting, with a queen sized bed in each room. Each room also had their own bathroom- the place was huge!
'Whoa.'
Rinoa and Quistis were escorted to their rooms where they put their bags down, and with the two maids, went back downstairs to convene in the study.
Laguna directed the two ladies to two brown leather chairs by Squall. The study consisted of a huge wall of books, with an extremely cluttered desk in front of the wall.
"So, son, how are you doing'?" Laguna asked with a bit of hesitance.
"I'm doing fine, Laguna. What did you call us here for?" Squall asked sternly, staring at his "father".
"Well, I've been getting these letters. from a lot of the citizens of Esthar, complaining about the new bill that I just passed." Laguna stated. "The bill was about-"
Kiros cut in. "Laguna, I think the kids want you to get straight to the point."
"Oh, right. Thanks Kiros. Now I got this recent letter," Laguna opened a drawer in his desk and picked out an envelope from it. "The letter says- well, I'll let you guys read it."
Squall took the envelope from Laguna, and opened it to reveal a note made from magazine letter clippings. : President, you are not playing fair, so neither will I: : I will be waiting for you at the Gala. Dress nice, : : for it may be the last time anyone will see you. :
"Why just not go to the Gala?" Squall asked Laguna.
"If I don't go, he'll just come after me anyway."
'Let me guess. we're going to escort you President Loire.'
".I have security, and I was glad they had Quistis come with you, you two being the best and the strongest combat fighters of the Garden. So, you two are uh, basically my bodyguards!" Laguna finished off.
'What? Bodyguards? He's twice the size of me! How can I guard him! And how did I know we were going to escort him.' Quistis' face remained emotionless throughout the whole conversation.
"Rinoa, your job will be to lookout for the possible attacker at the door. I know it may sound boring, but it would be gr-"Laguna began.
"BORING? HARDLY!" Rinoa sat up in her seat, excited for what's about to occur tomorrow.
'Oh, hyne. Don't blow it Rin.'
"Well, I have a vehicle for you to use if you want to go out somewhere today, so feel free to use it! I have a lot of work to do-"he said, pointing down to the stacks of papers hiding his desk. "So, you three have fun today, and I'll see you all at 6:30 for dinner."
The three saluted the President, and retired from the room.
"So, what do you both want to do?" Squall asked. "I figure, we have too much time and nothing to do, so if you want, uh." he trailed off.
"Why don't we go out to lunch! I'M STARVING!" Rinoa suggested.
Quistis nodded in agreement. "I could go for a nice glass of iced tea right now."
"Okay, lunch it is- I'll drive." Squall answered.
'Ha!'
"I CALL SHOTGUN!" Quistis said right before Rinoa.
"Hey! Not fair!" Rinoa grinned, playing around with Quistis.
'Beat you to the punch pretty girl. HA!' Quistis, with a feeling of triumph, opened the door to the nice dark blue car, and sat on the passenger side.
Next to Squall.
Quistis got up early at 4:30, to make sure she had everything and was not rushed to meet Squall and Rinoa at the entrance of the Garden. For some odd reason, she felt very jumpy today-not her usual cool self. Her heart began to pound a bit faster every time she thought of Squall, the one thought in her mind she seemed content with at the moment.
'A couple days with Squall. better not make an ass of yourself Trepe. Rinoa's going to cling onto him like Velcro' she thought to herself.
Making sure she had extra clothes to wear, she packed an extra white t- shirt and blue jeans (that she herself did not know she owned,) and put them into her small bag. Quistis looked up at the digital clock in her room, to find she had 15 minutes until she was going to spend a miserable week with the company of Squall, and the "wonderful" Rinoa.
Sighing, she mumbled "Rinoa. you took him away from me."
Quistis picked up her two small bags-the one with the dress, the other with her necessities, and walked out of her room and through Balamb Garden until she reached the entrance. Squall stood their waiting with his hands in his pockets, his head down.
"Hey Squall, where's Rin at?" Quistis asked as she approached the brunette.
'She's not here. maybe.'
Squall looked up at Quistis, getting ready to answer, when someone piped up behind the tall blond woman.
"HEY! Sorry I'm late! I guess I hit the snooze button on my alarm! Geez- my first mission and I'm late! Gosh, I'm sorry Squall!" Rinoa walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Do you forgive me?"
'Oh, please!'
"Rinoa."Squall started to say something, but Quistis cut him off, sparing herself to hear all of the forgiving "it's okay" stuff.
"Hey, it's almost 6:00, we're going to be late for the train if you guys keep talking! We got to go now!"
Squall stared at the clock, and nodded in agreement. He brought Rinoa's arms off of his shoulders, and walked on ahead of the two women.
"Are you nervous?" Rinoa asked Quistis as they walked out to the cab.
"Why would I be nervous? I don't even know what we're going to be doing! It's probably something really tedious, like escorting Laguna to the event we're dressing up for."
Squall opened the door for the ladies, and they kindly thanked him and slid into the back of the cab. Quistis made sure Rinoa went in first, so she sat in between her and Squall. It was a small car, so when Squall sat down and closed the door, they were all squished together.
'Hey, I don't mind this arrangement.'
She looked over at Rinoa who seemed content and bubbly with herself, while to her right, Squall was fidgeting, trying to find where he can put his arm.
Casually Quistis, hoping not to show sheer excitement, asked politely, "You can put your arm around me. I don't think Rin will care! It's not like I'm going to try to seduce you!" Quistis let out a little chuckle with that statement.
'Unless you want me to.'
Squall hesitantly put his arm around Quistis, feeling a lot better now that his arm wasn't in the way.
'Wow, he smells nice.'
Although the short cab ride was extremely pleasant for Quistis, the train and boat ride were torturous. Rinoa stuck to Squall like glue. All she did the whole way there was ask questions about the mission that no one could answer. Yes, Quistis did understand that it was her first mission as a SEED, but she was just a little too overexcited. Quistis noticed most of the way that he looked a little irritated with Rinoa, but somehow he just let it go.
Quistis was standing at the back edge of the ship, watching the water splash from beneath it.
'I would've thrown her off the boat if I was him.' Quistis thought, then turned around to look at Squall sitting on one of the benches bolted to the deck. The expression on his face was so gloomy, that made Quistis burst into hysterics.
Horrified, Squall stared at the blond. "What are you laughing at?" he asked with the same expression on his face.
Still laughing, Quistis replied "You just look like you're having a great time aren't you!" her laughs turned into a smile.
Squall looked to the ground, trying to hide the slight smile on his face.
'Hmm.'
"Squall, are you- SMILING? I think you are!" Quistis began to play around with him. "Your face was just hysterical! You looked like this-"she paused to imitate Squall.
Squall got up from the bench and looked up still half-smiling,, becoming a bit red with embarrassment. "Wow, I did look pretty funny. I didn't notice that I was doing that!" He began to laugh too.
"Wow, I didn't think that was possible being around me! Squall Leonheart, smiling at a joke I made?"
"Well, usually the only jokes come out of Irvine or Selphie, not you!" Squall said, his laugh fading into the small smile he had before. He stared at the blond glistening in the sun for a moment. "Listen- I." he began.
"SQUALL! We're almost there!" Rinoa came running up from the other end of the ship. "I can't wait! This is so exciting! She grabbed his hand and led him towards the front of the boat.
Squall turned his head around towards Quistis, and then mouthed the words "Thank you."
'Thank you? Thank you for what? Making you laugh? Not being clingy? Not being- Rinoa?' Quistis sighed, looked down at the wooden floor of the deck, and walked forward to the front of the boat to meet up with them.
They arrived at the docks, to be greeted by Kiros.
"Good morning Commander Leonheart, Lieutenant Trepe, Ms. Heartilly." He greeted then bowed.
"Please Kiros, just call us by our first names, it's quicker that way." Squall commented, who hated being called Commander.
"I'm sorry Squall, I'll remember that. Please ladies, let us take your bags and put them in the back of the van." He motioned for Squall to take Quistis' bags, while Kiros took Rinoa's and put them into the back of the hunter green van.
Rinoa grinned at Quistis. "Hey, I'm not complaining!"
'Maybe Rinoa isn't all that dumb- wait. What am I talking about! I don't give her enough credit I guess. Ha. Snap out of it Quis!'
The group got into the van.
"Our destination is the winter lodge that Laguna is staying at for the time- being, while renovations are being completed at his home in the main city of Esthar. So you will be staying with us at the lodge" Kiros explained.
'Yes! No hotel room to share with Rinoa!' Quistis thought happily to herself.
"Kiros, do you have any idea what this mission is about?" Squall asked curiously.
"Not a clue, not a clue at all. All I know is we all are attending the annual Esthar Gala, and he wanted you there Squall, since you are his son."
Squall stared out the window watching the trees fly by as the van drove up the mountainous terrain. "Well, he better not be mixing business with his personal life. he could call me if he needs to talk about this whole deal."
"Oh, I don't think that is the case Squall. He just has been keeping to himself a lot lately. " Kiros reassured him.
"Now, who does that sound like?" Rinoa piped up, smiling at Squall.
"Whatever." Squall said, still looking out the window. "How far is this lodge?"
"Don't worry, we're almost there. About 10 more minutes."
Those ten minutes went painfully slow. During that time it was eerily quiet in the van- Rinoa didn't even talk. For Quistis, it was relaxing. It gave her time to think about what she'll do while she's in Esthar.
'Maybe I can go shopping for myself. buy myself a present- oh, how conceited is that! Maybe I could do some window-shopping. and I'll go out to dinner too. just by myself. Squall and Rinoa will probably want time alone- but wait. Squall doesn't WANT to be alone with her, does he? Oh, well. Ever since they first kissed, they've been branded a couple. Maybe it wasn't like that. but why should I care! Because I love Squall. but why? I know it's not a sisterly bond. it's way more than that. He is so smart, and intelligent, and not to mention very attractive. If only he could see who I really am- I'm not just his co-worker. I'm his friend.'
"Quistis? Quisty, we're here." Rinoa tapped the sleeping Quistis on her on the shoulder, whispering to her so she wouldn't be too startled.
"Oh, thanks Rinoa." Quistis replied slowly opening her eyes, stretching her arms out. She scooted her way out of the van, and took a look at the place she was about to stay in for the next few days.
'A mansion! Whoa.'
Laguna came outside and greeted the gang. "Hi! Welcome to my second humble abode!" Here, us guys here will take your bags and you two can go right inside- the maids will show you to your rooms." Laguna said, going to the trunk of the van to get the bags.
Quistis and Rinoa made their way inside the huge castle-like mansion, where they met the maids. The bedrooms were bigger than the classrooms in Balamb- they each had a great extent of lighting, with a queen sized bed in each room. Each room also had their own bathroom- the place was huge!
'Whoa.'
Rinoa and Quistis were escorted to their rooms where they put their bags down, and with the two maids, went back downstairs to convene in the study.
Laguna directed the two ladies to two brown leather chairs by Squall. The study consisted of a huge wall of books, with an extremely cluttered desk in front of the wall.
"So, son, how are you doing'?" Laguna asked with a bit of hesitance.
"I'm doing fine, Laguna. What did you call us here for?" Squall asked sternly, staring at his "father".
"Well, I've been getting these letters. from a lot of the citizens of Esthar, complaining about the new bill that I just passed." Laguna stated. "The bill was about-"
Kiros cut in. "Laguna, I think the kids want you to get straight to the point."
"Oh, right. Thanks Kiros. Now I got this recent letter," Laguna opened a drawer in his desk and picked out an envelope from it. "The letter says- well, I'll let you guys read it."
Squall took the envelope from Laguna, and opened it to reveal a note made from magazine letter clippings. : President, you are not playing fair, so neither will I: : I will be waiting for you at the Gala. Dress nice, : : for it may be the last time anyone will see you. :
"Why just not go to the Gala?" Squall asked Laguna.
"If I don't go, he'll just come after me anyway."
'Let me guess. we're going to escort you President Loire.'
".I have security, and I was glad they had Quistis come with you, you two being the best and the strongest combat fighters of the Garden. So, you two are uh, basically my bodyguards!" Laguna finished off.
'What? Bodyguards? He's twice the size of me! How can I guard him! And how did I know we were going to escort him.' Quistis' face remained emotionless throughout the whole conversation.
"Rinoa, your job will be to lookout for the possible attacker at the door. I know it may sound boring, but it would be gr-"Laguna began.
"BORING? HARDLY!" Rinoa sat up in her seat, excited for what's about to occur tomorrow.
'Oh, hyne. Don't blow it Rin.'
"Well, I have a vehicle for you to use if you want to go out somewhere today, so feel free to use it! I have a lot of work to do-"he said, pointing down to the stacks of papers hiding his desk. "So, you three have fun today, and I'll see you all at 6:30 for dinner."
The three saluted the President, and retired from the room.
"So, what do you both want to do?" Squall asked. "I figure, we have too much time and nothing to do, so if you want, uh." he trailed off.
"Why don't we go out to lunch! I'M STARVING!" Rinoa suggested.
Quistis nodded in agreement. "I could go for a nice glass of iced tea right now."
"Okay, lunch it is- I'll drive." Squall answered.
'Ha!'
"I CALL SHOTGUN!" Quistis said right before Rinoa.
"Hey! Not fair!" Rinoa grinned, playing around with Quistis.
'Beat you to the punch pretty girl. HA!' Quistis, with a feeling of triumph, opened the door to the nice dark blue car, and sat on the passenger side.
Next to Squall.