Squall paced the small room in which he was hiding. Many people had come to inquire where he was, but he refused to oblige them by joining the ball. At least, not until Selphie had arrived. His father, Sir Laguna had told him to quit his nonsense and behave in a more polite manner. Laguna had told Squall that there where many young ladies wanting to dance with him, and that he should not concern himself with this 'Selphie.' But it had been in vain, as Squall like always got his own way. He would be introduced to the ball with Selphie on his arm, or not at all.
Squall looked nervously at the clock and started pacing again.
"Squall would you just calm down!" Zell said sighing. When Squall showed no sign of stopping, Zell was forced to push him into a red and gold chair. Zell laughed, Squall looked so tiny sat in that massive chair.
"What?" Squall snapped.
"Sorry My Lord, it is nothing," Zell said bowing his head. Sometimes he forgot that he was only a servant.
"Good" Squall said still annoyed. There was silence until Squall sprang back up to his pacing. Zell blew air out of his cheeks and sighed again.
"Squall, just relax all right" He said handing him a brandy. Squall took the drink and looked at it as though it was the solution to all his problems.
"I can't! I've never been so nervous"
"Really?" Zell asked innocently. Squall gave him a 'What's that supposed to mean' look.
"Sorry" Zell whispered, realising that he had said something wrong.
The door creaked open and a servant walked in. He cleared his throat in order to gain their attention, although he already held it.
"My Lord, Miss Selphie has arrived," He said bowing.
"Thank you" Squall replied, then started to leave, "Zell you are excused for the evening" he called from over his shoulder. Zell was relieved; Squall was beginning to get a bit annoying.
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Selphie stepped out of the carriage nervously, her ball gown swaying slightly around her. She carefully looked around, wanting to remember everything about tonight. There was a long pathway leading the brightly lit entrance. In the doorway a figure hovered, Selphie couldn't make out his face as he was hidden in the candle shadows.
"There he is Selphie!" Quistis said excitedly, walking up beside her.
"How can you tell?" Selphie replied squinting into the darkness. "I can't see him properly"
"I've seen him before!" Quistis said smiling. Selphie shook her head, Quistis was giggling and fidgeting with her gloves.
"You like him don't you?" Selphie asked winking. Quistis did her best to look bewildered.
"No, no I don't" Exclaimed with pretend shock. Selphie shook her head and smiled.
As they neared the light from the doorway, Selphie caught her first glimpse of Squall Leonhart. Unruly brown hair fell over his forehead, in an untamed and disobedient manner.
"Oh my god" Selphie whispered.
"The building is beautiful is it not?" Quistis said admiring the architecture.
"Forget the building. What about the lord?" Selphie gasped, forming the words breathlessly. Quistis giggled again, happy that her friend shared the same opinions as her.
As Selphie reached the entrance, the better she could see him. Candle light no longer casting shadows around his perfectly formed face. He reached out for her hand. Selphie looked at his waiting palm not sure what to do. Slowly she raised her hand uncertainly, he took it causing her to be brought towards him. Holding her slim warm fingers, he kissed them lightly. As he straitened and returned his gaze to her, she noticed his powerful storm like eyes. The only way she could describe was like a black cloud reflected in a ferocious sea. She had never seen such a blue.
"My lady Selphie, you are very welcome to Seadon palace." Squall spoke remembering his manners. "You bring with you a companion I see," He said mentioning to Quistis.
"Yes this is my good friend Quistis" Selphie said happily. Quistis smiled and curtsied. Squall nodded in reply.
Just then Zell came running towards them.
"My Lord!" He shouted from the top of the entrance steps. He did some sort of running leap and jumped the next four steps to land next to Squall with practiced accuracy. Selphie started clapping, surprised with Zell's little stunt. Squall however did not look impressed. With one glance at Squall, Selphie stopped clapping immediately.
"How many times do I need to tell you Zell?" Squall asked warningly. Zell looked down at his feet.
"Don't jump off of the top step" Zell quoted.
"What do you want anyway? I gave you the night off." Squall asked annoyed. Selphie finally found herself relaxing, this was not how she had expected Squall to be. She had imagined him being cold, mean and above all else rude. But here he was, joking around with the butler.
"Your father…" Zell gave a theatrical groan "Wants you to join him the ballroom immediately, or he will steal Selphie and spend the whole nigh dancing with her, just to annoy you!"
"What?" Squall said in surprise.
"Ok. Ok so I made that last bit up. But he isn't happy so you better hurry!"
Squall rolled his eyes and linked Selphie's arm to his.
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As they reached the doors to the ballroom, Selphie started to get a bit nervous.
"Squall, I'm frightened. I've done anything like this before!" Selphie said looking into his eyes.
"Hey I saw you dance remember! You can do this Selphie."
"That is not what I am worried about Squall" Selphie explained. Squall looked at her questionably. "Oh I'm sorry, I meant to say 'My Lord,'" She said embarrassed and bowing her head. It took a few minuets for Squall to realise what was wrong.
"I do not mind you calling me Squall," He said, lifting her face gently so he could look in to her eyes. "I would like you to call me Squall" Selphie blushed, and dropped her eyes to the floor. Squall let her go, sensing that she was uncomfortable. "Tell me what are worried about?"
"Squall I do not belong here, this place is for respectable people from wealthy families. I am nobody, I should not be here" Selphie said worried. Squall saw that she really meant every word that she had spoken and felt sorry for her.
"Selphie don't think like that! I chose you to be here with me. I know you are not like them, but that is why I wanted you here. None of them could ever compare to how innocent and beautiful you are Selphie" A silent unseen tear ran down Selphie's face. No one had ever said anything like that to her before, never before was there any nice words to make her feel better.
"Thank you" She whispered. Letting Squall lead her into the shining ballroom.
A Voice erupted from somewhere deep inside the room. Followed shortly by a trumpet call.
"My Lords and Ladies, may I present Lord Leonhart and Lady Tilmitt."
"How did he know your surname?" Squall asked feeling puzzled.
"Telepathy?" Selphie joked. This surprised Squall and made him laugh. A few heads turned in his direction but he ignored them all.
"Dance with me?" He asked bowing. This made Selphie giggle.
"Of course, My Lord" She said curtsying, and following him to the centre of the room.
There we go, that's that chapter done. I meant to include Quistis a bit more but I guess she can appear later on in the story.
Please tell me what you thought any way. I would quite like to know who you think Selphie should fall in love with in the end. The choices are: Zell, Irvine or Seifer.
Thank you to the reviewers who are: Silver shadow, Phoenix Blade and my lil' Tony. Cheers you guys!!