Chapter Seven
I just realized, me being the flaming idiot that I am, that two very loyal readers have been leaving me reviews repeatedly, and I haven't thanked them yet! So, let me do so now.
Funkitated: The petition idea is interesting, don't write it off so quickly. If anyone has any interesting suggestions as to what kinds of situations I could make in this story, then go ahead and make them. I don't know if I'll be able to use them, but seeing as I'm writing as I go, I'm willing to get some inspiration here and there.
Celas Victoria: Yes, more FF7 characters will show up en masse, if I can make it so. But please be patient. The most notable character appearances won't be made until the next Chapter.
And a note to those who have just joined us, or have returned to this fic after a long time, I value your opinions too, so please review! Even if it's just to say, "BLARG!" And on that note, the insanity continues…
Amidst the crowd of Midgar residents, (we now know that this is Midgar) Aeris leads Rinoa down the dingy streets by the hand. Every now and then she throws a reassuring look back at Rinoa, who looks something like a caged rodent in this new environment. Rinoa looks about herself in awe.
Rinoa: (overwhelmed) Wow, this place is BIG!
Aeris: Not used to the big city, I take it?
Rinoa: Heck, no! Even Deling City isn't this big!
Aeris looks back at her in confusion, and Rinoa smiles sheepishly.
Rinoa: Sorry. I know, you've never heard of Deling City…
Aeris: (whispers) Where exactly do you come from, anyway?
Rinoa: I don't know how to explain. I think the only thing I could say that would make sense is… (pulls Aeris close and whispers in her ear) I'm from the future.
Aeris: (blinks) Oh, really?
Rinoa: (louder) I'm serious!
Aeris: Ooookay. Then how exactly did you get here?
Rinoa: It's too hard to explain….
Aeris suddenly pulls her into a side alley away from the street. After she pulls them both into the darkness, she whips around on Rinoa.
Aeris: (whispers harshly) Tell me!
Rinoa: What?!
Aeris: Ssshhh!! (looks about the alleyway) Some Shinra spy might be around and hear you. (looks intensely at Rinoa) If you're from the future then I want to know what happens!
Rinoa: What? You mean you want to know what happens in *your* future?
Aeris: Not mine, the Planet's. (sweeps her arms around her) I want to know if the Planet will be all right in the future.
Rinoa: Oh. It's fine. That's not really the problem in the future…
Aeris: (gently takes her arm) Then what is?
Voice: HEY!
The two girls jump and cling to each other as if they've been caught. A police officer sticks his head down the alleyway.
Police dude: What are you two girls doing down there?!
Aeris: (grabs Rinoa's hand and drags her out into the street) Nothing officer. We were just taking a shortcut.
Police dude: Get moving! (gives Rinoa a suspicious look as Aeris drags her away)
Once out of the officers hearing distance, both girls let out a sigh.
Aeris: (relieved) Maybe we should take up this topic at a later time.
Rinoa: I think that would be good.
Aeris: You should think of how you're going to explain your situation, though. My friends are gonna want to know what your story is if they're gonna help you.
Rinoa: Okay. (thinks to herself) This place is insane! Squall has probably brooded himself into oblivion by now….
In the meantime, in another part of the city….
Quistis: Squall! Stop brooding yourself into oblivion!
Squall: (flatly) I can't help it.
Squall is in his thinking position on the bench. Quistis is pacing about him impatiently. Irvine is looking over the brochures for the twenty-fifth time.
Irvine: (confused) Damn….
Zell: (as he punches a nearby wall) This is friggen nuts! What the *sproing* are we doin sitting here!?
Quistis: Be patient, Zell. At least wait until Selphie gets back. She might find some more answers than we did in those stupid brochures. (gestures to Irvine)
Irvine: (still reading) Damn…
Zell: (walks over to Quistis) I can't believe that no one around seems to know about Sorceress War or Esthar or anything else that they'd usually be blabbing about….
Quistis: Well there's no telling exactly how far into the past Ellone might have sent us, Zell.
Squall: (thinks) The way she's talking, we could be way before the time of The Great Hyne. Could there have been such an advanced civilization before the Great Hyne? Before sorceresses and magic? Some of this does look a bit crude, but it's still pretty high tech for…
Zell: Uh-oh, I think we've lost him…
Quistis: (worried) Squall?
Squall: (comes back to the real world) You're right , Quistis. We could be in the time before the Great Hyne. I don't know. It doesn't explain us being in our own bodies. But one way or another, I think we're in the past.
Quistis is about to say something, but then Selphie comes bounding loudly over to the group.
Selphie: (happily) HEY!
Irvine, still reading, is startled as Selphie accidentally plows into him.
Irvine: (coyly) Whoa! Easy, girl! We'll have plenty of time for that later.
Selphie blushes furiously at him, and kicks him in the shin. As Irvine dances about on one leg, Zell snickers and Quistis covers her mouth to supress a smile.
Squall: (thinks) He deserved that.
Selphie: (to Squall) I found a library. Man, did the librarian give me a hard time! (she hands Squall a world history book, who starts to leaf through it) She made me get a membership and everything, just so I could get this one stupid book! Eventually I just gave her some gil and bought the book to avoid any trouble.
Squall: (snaps to attention) She took your gil?
Selphie: Yeah, I think they must have the same currency here.
Quistis: That's a consolation…
Squall: A small one.
Quistis: Well, that at least means that we can stay in a hotel. I think it'll be a good place to read this thing. (indicates the book) Besides, I think Irvine would like that.
Selphie: (defensively) Huh?
Squall: (flatly) I think you broke his leg, Selphie.
The three look over to Irvine, who's leaning dependently on a hysterical Zell.
Irvine: Little lady's got quite a leg….
Selphie: (turns red) Oops!
Quistis: Oh, he'll be all right. He's just trying to get some sympathy. Let's get going. There's gotta be a half decent hotel around here someplace.
She and Selphie start to walk away. Selphie grabs Zell's arm and pulls him away, leaving an unsupported Irvine to fall flat on his face. Selphie gives him an angry look as she drags Zell off. Irvine smiles back at her sheepishly. Quitis helps him up and makes sure he can walk, before noticing an unmoving Squall.
Quistis: (concerned) Squall?
Squall: (has an unsure look on his face) …..What about…
Quistis: Rinoa? (Squall nods) Don't worry Squall. We'll find her.
Squall looks unconvinced for a moment, then reluctantly follows Quistis. She walks by his side for a moment, then stops and galnces back.
Quistis: (thinks) Why do I feel that I'm being watched?
After a moment of pondering she runs after the rest of the team. Nearby, a shadow separates itself from the wall. It climbs loftily to the top and sets itself there like a gargoyle. It scrutinizes the departing SeeDs with glowing, red eyes.
Where is Aeris taking Rinoa? What are the young Seeds about to discover? What is the mysterious thing following them? Find out next time on Succession of the Fantasies!
Preview of next program:
Squall and the gang get in way over their heads at the hotel.
Selphie and Irvine duke it out!
Quistis gets abducted!
Rinoa meets some familiar faces. (to us at least)
Next time on Succession of the Fantasies Episode 8: No Need for Crossovers!