~CHAPTER 3: The Council Meeting~



Rinoa pushed the double doors leading to the Galbadia Garden council room. The nineteen council members all raised their heads at the same time that it was almost frightening. The Estharian President greeted her with his usual smile and his council nodded their heads in acknowledgement.

The Centra President looked up from his files and commented on her hurried arrival and her companion.

"Well, looks like you were in a rush Commander Heartilly, and umm, who is this?" He motioned towards Squall, "Why was I not aware of his arrival?"

Luckily, one of the Galbadian council members responded, "Squall Leonheart, one of the best SeeDs here at Galbadia Garden."

Squall did his regular thing, flashed a smile and stood up a bit straighter. The news of a "Squall Leonheart" particularly attracted the Estharian president as he leaned forward to look at the young man. Commander Almasy's expression was un-readable, to Rinoa Heartilly's eyes, but not to Hiro Schezny, the spokesperson of Centra. It was too obvious.

Almasy was displeased with the presence of this "Squall" character. Of course he was a respected SeeD; but that certainly did not make him a noble. Almasy never did like people who weren't "his kind". The council had no need for such frivolous characters in one of their important meetings.

"Very well Leonheart, dismissed." Sefeir said with a dry tone.

Rinoa grimaced at his attitude, "He's been ordered here." She responded icily.

Sefeir chuckled slightly, "Yes, well now he's been ordered out of here."

"By who? With utmost respect Commander Almasy but are you considered important?" Squall responded without delay.

There was a slight discomforting pause that followed.

"Sit down Leonheart and I'd advise you to shut up." Rinoa spoke up. If this kept going there would be a fight. She wasn't sure why she was defending Leonheart but she wasn't going to let Almasy win.

Almasy was her fiancée. WAS. And she thanked Hyne everyday for the cancellation. Rinoa had meant to marry Sefeir to claim the land of Balamb. Obviously, Almasy had no interest in her, only in the land. Suddenly, gangs broke out and began committing crimes. They completely undertook the island and so the council had to take immediate action. Therefore, they dropped the marriage plans. Not to mention it wasn't fair at all to the Estharians, since President Loire and his wife had no children.

Rinoa sat at the round oak table. It was finely polished with only a few documents on it. Squall soon joined them after pulling up a chair near Rinoa since she was the only person he knew, even thought they never did get along much.

"Ok, so we've found a suspect that could be arrested." Rinoa simply stated. She told them his name, and everything else they had in his document.

"Lousy info …" Commented Sefeir.

"Then you scan the files until you find something suitable." Squall said simply.

"What do you think you're paid for?" Sefeir smacked his fist on the table.

"He works for me Sefeir. He's paid to do whatever I tell him to." Rinoa interjected coldly.

Taking up on the opportunity Squall sneered, "That's right, I don't owe you anything."



"We're sending out SeeDs … to Trabia." Caraway finally spoke up. During the whole meeting he stayed silent. "I'll make a suggestion." He mumbled again.

Rinoa raised an eyebrow at her father. She didn't know what he was going to suggest but he certainly seemed lost today. The Galbadian President spoke up. "Funds from the two other countries would be much appreciated. The SeeDs will be from Galbadia. Leonheart, you'll be one of them. I'll fill everyone in on the details tomorrow."

"Right …" Loire stated, slightly dazed by the Galbadian President's outburst.

The Centra president stayed silent. He didn't enjoy it when he had no say in the matter.


"Thank you very much for your cooperation." Caraway said. "It is much appreciated."

"Ok, the mission'll go something like this. Get the Suogi guy and bring him back here. All is well. This might take sometime. Who knows where he's hiding. Council dismissed."




The 21 people rose and left the room solemnly.

"Hasty ending." Whispered Squall to Rinoa.

"Yah … I know." She responded. Squall slightly waved and left her to go re-join one of his buddies, Irvine.

Rinoa walked down the hall, her destination was the dorms. She was sick and tired of all the council's twaddle about war. They would declare war on anything. She was sure they would declare war on a tree that couldn't be cut down or a bird that happened to be flying overhead and left a small souvenir on their head.

She heard heavy footsteps behind her. Without turning back she knew who it was. She should be used to it by now. HE was constantly stalking her. She swiftly turned around to face the muscular shoulders, the short blond hair, the tall selfish man that she had always hated.

"What is it Sefeir?"

"I'm sorry I scared you …"

"You didn't scare me. Stop acting macho and tell me what you want."

"You …"

"You always want something you can't have."

"I always get what I want."

"I'm not a "what", I'm a "who". Unless you were referring to something else … like Balambian land for example."

"I was never claiming land; I was claiming you. I love you."

"Yes and I have a baby llama that lays eggs."

"Stop being so cold and sarcastic. I'm trying to be nice."

"Well, to me, you being "nice" is you being annoying."

"Hmph! Either way, I'll get you. Out of rights. Centra and Galbadia would claim the land no matter how Esthar feels about it. If Loire can't screw properly and can't produce an heir, that's his problems."

"I wish I had a tape recorder. I could tape you and get you kicked off the council. You obviously don't belong there. You're weak and lack leadership qualities."

Rinoa kept walking towards the dorms. She considered paying a quick visit to the training center so she wouldn't have to break something in her room later. She needed to let off steam … quickly.


Sammy-Chan: Hope you liked it! R&R! Haha! Rinny's pissed and what's Squall gunna do about it? Obviously he won't help.