VIII
"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that can frighten us more than the prospect of confronting our most dubious fears."
--Antone Vaniette

The stars shone through the Ballroom skylight windows, casting a glimmering radiance on the dance floor below. The band was engaged in some slinky jazz number, still waiting for the signal that the fireworks were about to begin and the real dance could commence.

Dina Tilmitt moved across the floor gracefully, the light playing over her dark skin and fuzz of black hair. Brown eyes caught reflections as they skipped over the ballroom, and her modest heels clicked as she walked.

"Ah! Miss Tilmitt! I'm so glad that you could make it!"

Dina turned, a smile spreading across her face as she saw the one who had hailed her. "Andreya!" she burst, moving over to shake her friend's hand firmly. "Call me Dina, you tease."

"Why?" Andreya smiled in that innocent way that only she had perfected, and gave her a quick wink. "We here in Balamb like to look official, even if we don't think it."

Dina shook her head. "I only have until seven tomorrow to be here," she said. "Then I'm heading up to Galbadia Garden to meet Selphie. I don't want to waste my time being proper."

"I see your point," Andreya said. "So, how did the conference go?"

"I learned almost sixteen ways to treat varying degrees of shock and magic overload," Dina replied. "I certainly hope that that's more than I'll ever need."

"Hmm," Andreya agreed. "Today was the SeeD field exam. I had some work to do when it was all over."

Dina frowned. "Oh, no," she said. "Nothing serious, I hope?"

"Not too serious," Andreya said. "There was a young man by the name of San Dyver who was pretty beat-up, but he wasn't critical. All the same, it'll be a few weeks before he can get back to duty."

Dina shook her head gravely. "It's strange, isn't it?" she asked. "They dedicate everything to their work, and they're still so young..."

"Dina?"

Dina glanced up, to see a familiar face approaching from the other end of the ballroom. Smiling, she beckoned him over.

"Kamalyn!" she exclaimed, noting quickly the new SeeD uniform and the amount of discomfort with which he wore it. "How are you?"

Kamalyn drew to a halt nearby, tugging at his sleeve. "Okay, I guess," he said. "Just a bit tired."

"You look handsome," Dina remarked. "Where's Aya?"

Kamalyn froze up like a deer in headlights. Andreya coughed lightly.

"It's all over Garden," she said. "I'm surprised you didn't hear it, Dina."

"...she quit SeeD," Kamalyn said. "And she failed the exam."

Dina blinked. "Oh, my," she said. "Is she all right?"

Kamalyn shrugged. "She's Aya," he said. "She seems to get by."

"How did she fail?" Dina asked.

"She disobeyed orders," Kamalyn answered. "It's enough to make a difference. I mean, she--she's an extraordinary fighter, and she's sharp, and quick, and--" Kamalyn sighed. "But being a SeeD means following orders, and she just can't."

Dina shook her head. "I'm sorry," she said. Kamalyn thought about that for a moment.

"...yeah. So am I."

There was an awkward pause in the conversation, and a low murmur from the entrance caused Kamalyn to look over. There was Commander Leonhart making his obligatory appearance, decked out in full uniform complete with his daunting array of medals. His wife, the Sorceress Rinoa, followed him, one hand resting lightly on his arm. She practically glowed in her white dress under the luminance of the stars.

Andreya sighed. "I can't imagine what they're feeling," she said.

Kamalyn quietly maneuvered himself so that Dina and Andreya were between the Commander and himself. Dina gave him a quizzical look. "Something wrong, Kam?"

"Not unless he feels like ripping my throat out," Kamalyn explained. "Or just staring me to death."

"Relax, Kam," Dina said. "The Commander of Balamb Garden is not out to get you."

Kamalyn shook his head. "Well, maybe he wasn't before I failed his daughter."

"What?" Andreya looked confused.

"She was on my team," Kamalyn explained. "I should have--"

Dina cut him off with a snort. "This is ridiculous," she said. "Look, I have some messages Selphie wanted me to deliver in person. Here, come with me and meet him, he's really not so bad--"

Before Kam had the chance to realize what was happening, Dina had grabbed his wrist and was dragging him toward Commander Leonhart. When he did realize, however, he almost jumped out of his skin. "Dina!" he yelped, trying to disengage her hand. "Please!"

"What?" Dina paused for a moment, rounding on him. "Afraid I'll embarrass you?"

Kamalyn shook his head. "No!" he said. "I just don't feel like a confrontation again today..."

Dina frowned slightly, harrumphed, and let him go. "Fine," she said. "I'll see you around the dance later, then."

"Yeah," Kamalyn said unevenly.

"Hey!" Dina thought for a moment. "You're coming up to G-Garden, aren't you? Since Fujin is coming?"

Kamalyn blinked. "I haven't heard anything about it," he said.

"Oh," Dina said, sounding disappointed. "Well, maybe you can. It'll be a good chance to see Tam again."

"Yeah," Kam said. "I think I'm going to take an early night."

Dina gave him a shocked, reproachful look. "You've only just arrived!" she protested.

Kamalyn eyed the door. "...the exam was a real killer," he half-lied.

Dina exhaled loudly. "Well, I'll see you around," she said, drawing him in for a quick hug. "Tell Aya that I--well, tell her something that won't set her off."

"I will," Kamalyn said. "Good night, Dina."

"Rest up, Kam," Dina said.

With a weak smile, Kam turned and headed for the door.