Chapter 8 – A Grand Celebration

Zelda til Rednaxelos

Terra's P.O.V.

Disclaimer: Yes, you're probably really tired of this by now, but I'm required to say it: I own Terra and Terra alone. I wish I owned everybody else, but I don't, so don't try to sue me.

P.S. Vamp Queen here. Sorry, Zelly, I'm butting in here. Raven, Luna, Terra and Aris are ours. Leave them alone. Do what you want to everyone else. Torture Seifer if the need arises. Ok, I'm done

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     On Friday, I paid a visit to Fujiin's dorm at Raven's summoning. I knew that something had happened the day before that upset her immensely, but I told her nothing of it.

     I knocked on the door lightly. Raven called out from behind the door: "Who is it?"

     "Mary Tudor. Come on, Raven, get real. I know you could sense me through the door."

     The door swung open, and a fiery-eyed Raven shot me a look that could make a storm back down.

     "Announce us to the rest of the world while you're at it, why don't you!" she hissed. "Can't you be more careful? You'll get us kicked out of here if anyone finds out about our – positions – and you know how the people at Garden feel about people like us."

     "Somebody got up on the wrong side of the couch this morning."

     "Just come inside." When the door shut behind us, Raven added, "I sure would have gotten up on the wrong side of the couch this morning if there hadn't been a ball coming up. Hell, I would have gotten up on the wrong couch."

     I tilted my head in puzzlement. "Huh?"

     "Seifer gave me a proposition yesterday."

     My eyes widened as I plopped down on Fujiin's couch. "He didn't."

     "I wish I could agree with you. But yeah, he said I owed him a 'favor' for saving my life, and he thought me sleeping with him would more than pay for it. I refused, so he challenged me to a duel. If he won, I was stuck with him for the whole night."

     "No way. So what happened?"

     "I was actually doing pretty well, but then the bastard hit me upside the head with his gunblade and gave me a near concussion, thus causing me to lose. So he gave me two options: I slept with him, or he took me to the anniversary ball tonight as his date."

     "And you chose the date," I finished, beaming with pride for her. "I'm proud of you, Bird-girl. You actually scored a date!"

     "I'm not too happy about it!" Raven cried. "That animal is going to have me nearly cuffed to his wrist all evening long. I'm going to have to dance and pretend I'm having a good time. I never wanted to go in the first place!"

     "Luna wanted you to go. She made me promise to go without her."

     "I honestly don't care about going to the dance in itself – I just don't want to go with him!"

     "Okay, okay, you can calm down," I told her. "Sit down. Don't pace so much – just sit here and don't worry so much, alright?"

     Raven sank beside me and held her head in her hands. "I need your help, Terra. You always know how to deal with this sort of stuff – what am I supposed to do? I have to get out of this!"

     "Sorry I have to be the one to break it to you, but in this situation, it's really not wise to try to get away from Seifer."

     "But . . . but what the hell am I supposed to do, then?"

     "Just go along with it."

     "But he's Seifer Almasy, Terra! Seriously, would you want to go out on a date with that man?"

     "Hey, it's only for a couple of hours. You can do it."

     "Are you sure that's the only advice you can give me?"

     "Afraid so."

     Raven sighed. "Okay, then."

     "Don't worry, I'll distract you over there, okay?" I offered.

     "Yeah, alright."

     "Okay. So, let's switch to another topic. What do you plan on wearing to the ball?"

     Raven shrugged. "I haven't thought about it at all. I have no clue."

     "Haven't you ever been to some sort of formal occasion before where you had to dress up?"

     "No. The most formal thing I've ever attended is mass at the cathedral, and I always wear jeans and a T-shirt over there."

     I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

     "Yeah."

     "We need to get to work then. I've got an idea for you that I think will be just perfect –"

     "If you're thinking about putting me into a dress, I'm telling you right now that there's no way I'll ever do it. The farthest I'll go is some dressy pants, but that's it."

     "You're a female, Raven. Dress like one for once, will you?"

     "Nope."

     "Can't you at least wear a skirt?" I pleaded. "All the other girls will be wearing pretty gowns."

     "Not doing it."

     "Please?"

     "No."

     "But even Fujiin will be wearing a spaghetti strap!"

     "No."

     "Do it for Luna. She would kick you into a dress if she were here."

     "No."

     "She's going to get pretty upset . . ."

     "No."

     "I'm getting upset . . ."

     "No."

     I was losing my temper. The girl was really pushing the envelope.

     "Raven . . ."

     "No."

     That was it. I'd had it.

     "Raven Fauna Keisha Moss, if you don't at least put on a skirt, I will cancel the date myself and force you to sleep with Seifer!" I shouted at her. "You know I can do it, and I will!"

     "Fine, Goddessdamn it!" Raven yelled back. "Do what you want. Just make sure I get out of this alive!"

     My anger cooled. "That's much better," I said calmly, smiling. "The Most Sovereign wills it."

     "Whatever. Just get to work."

*****************************

     "I'm not liking this. I am not liking this!"

     "It's pretty, Raven. Everybody will love it."

     "Everybody except me."

     "Quit being such a stiff. Hold still . . ." And with one last wave of my hand, I made the final adjustment to the dress I had made for Raven. "There. A masterpiece. My rendition of the little black dress."

     It was quite lovely, in my opinion. The dress went down to her knees, with mid-thigh slits on both side for easy movement, and had one strap. I had fixed her hair into a bun so it wouldn't fly all over the place, given her wine-colored lipstick, and low heels. She finally looked just like the elegant lady I'd always wished she would turn into.

     I myself was dressed in a burgundy Renaissance-style gown trimmed with gold, with white petticoats and gloves underneath my long chiffon split bell sleeves. The sleeves were placed gracefully off my shoulders, and the skirt of the dress was quite full.

     I looked in the mirror, touching up my makeup a bit and fastening my adjustable Celtic necklace into a choker. "I think we're ready to go," I said to Raven. "Just let me look you over one more time . . . oh, shoot."

     "What now?" Raven asked tiredly.

     "The slits – they need to be higher," I said, and with a movement of my hand I made the slits on either side of her dress two inches higher.

     Raven squinted at them for a moment and said, "Geez, Terra, you keep this up and all the guys will be following me around, not just Seifer!"

     "That's the point."

     "But Almasy's bad enough!"

     "Just go with it."

     "Fine," Raven replied reluctantly. "Let's just get this over with."

     As we headed down the hallway to the ballroom, I said, "You've been rather grumpy lately, my friend."

     "I think you would be, too, if you were in my situation."

     I simply smiled and answered, "Just try not to dwell on it. We're supposed to be having fun. So have fun."

     "Yeah, easy for you to say," Raven grumbled.

     "Alright, I'll be quiet now. Hey, look, we forgot to go find our dates. I'm supposed to wait outside the door for Squall. You go find Seifer. And while you're gone, don't you go making any changes to your dress. You know what happens if you do."

     "Yeah, okay. I'll see you in a bit."

     As she walked off, I couldn't help but grin to myself. That girl is going to be the belle of the ball . . . well, next to me, of course. No one out-belles Terra Briar.

     "Hey, uh, Terra?"

     I looked up, and there was Squall, looking handsome as ever in a tuxedo.

     I smiled warmly at him. "Hey. You're looking great – as usual."

     Squall shifted his feet anxiously and muttered, "Thanks," as I caught a pinkish flush creep upon his face. It quickly left him as he responded, "You, too."

     I grabbed his hand, eager to get inside, and pulled him through the grand double doors. "Come on, I want to start dancing! I'm excited about this – and you?"

     "Uh, yeah, if . . . if you're here . . ."

     "Why, thank you, Commander. Now, come on, let's go!"

     I turned around to take in the sight of the imposing ballroom . . . and was amazed at its majesty.

     One could almost see herself in the marble dancing floor, which reflected the light of the huge crystal chandeliers suspended from the glass ceiling. Festive ivy branches and roses of all colors were twisted together and entwined around the railings on the stairway and balconies on either side. A royal blue carpet lead down the stairs to the dancing floor. Refreshment tables were on either side. A small orchestra played on the left side of the large stage in the back. It was all so regal, so very magnificent.

     "Oh . . . it's so beautiful," I wondered aloud. "I . . . I've never seen anything like it."

     "Yeah, it sure is nice," a Southerner's voice called out, "but not nearly as nice as you, Miss Briar."

     I looked around and found Irvine standing beside me, he in a tuxedo as well, but still wearing his cowboy hat.

     I laughed. "You never do take off that hat, do you?"

     "This is a special hat. It's got white trim, see?" He smiled and bent down on one knee, taking my hand into his. "But I, of course, am nothing in appearance compared to your radiant beauty, Terra Briar, rose of Balamb." Kissing my hand lightly, he added, "You look lovely tonight. Of course, you just keep getting prettier each time I see you –"

     "I never knew you were a poet, Irvine," someone said. Seifer approached us, with Raven following reluctantly behind.

     "Don't even start with that, Seifer," I warned.

     "Sure thing, 'rose of Balamb'. Just let me give you a word of advice: don't spend too much time with him, lest you make your date jealous. After all, you're supposed to be with him."

     "Thanks, but I don't think I'll be needing any help from you," I replied curtly as I returned to Squall's side. "Come on, Commander, let's go get something to eat."

     "Ooh, she even has a pet name for him," Seifer teased. "I do think that before long –"

     "Shut up," Squall snapped at him as we walked down the stairs to the refreshments.

     We saw Zell standing by the hot dogs, wolfing them down one by one. As we approached him, he caught sight of us and waved. "Hey, guys, check out these hot dogs! They're even better than usual!"

     I waved back and responded, "Nah, I don't think so yet. They cause bad breath. I'll just have some punch." As I poured myself a glass, I asked Squall, "So, do they have a lot of grand soirees here?"

     "No. The last one I went to was the celebration of Ultimecia's defeat."

     "Oh, yeah, her. Ultimecia. Scary-looking creature, I hear."

     "Uh . . . yeah. But . . . well, I'd really prefer we didn't talk about it . . ."

     "How come?" Zell asked him.

     Squall shot him a hard look. "You know why."

     "What? Come on, you can . . . oh. Oh! Yeah, um, that's right."

     I sighed and rolled my eyes with a laugh. "Fine, just leave me out like that. You two are so strange."

     "Oh, hey, look!" Zell said. He pointed to the stage. "Cid's about to speak. Pay attention!"

     The crowd clapped as Cid stepped up to the podium. He cleared his throat, adjusted his tie, and began, "I would like to thank you all for coming tonight. Today marks the tenth anniversary of the founding of Balamb Garden." A cheer went up from the crowd; Cid smiled and let the applause die down before continuing. "Ten years ago, this was a big facility with a small staff and few students. But thanks to you, Garden's pupils, and SeeD, our special forces, we have flourished into the second largest military academy in the world!" More cheers.

     "Second largest," I whispered to myself. "Yeesh."

     "One of my greatest joys as headmaster is watching young seedlings mature into blossoms. To see these students develop into intelligent, strong, courageous soldiers gives me great pride. Yes, there are times when I feel so tired and frustrated that I want to just quit this whole operation. Some of you have tried my patience and pushed me over the edge enough times that I could scream at you until your eardrums break. But I cannot give up on you. To let all of you down would be my greatest shame. The hope of a better world, a better future for the citizens of the world is what keeps me going – and I owe it all to you, the students of Balamb Garden. Thank you all."

     The crowd cheered loudly as Cid backed away. When he was out of sight, I turned to Squall and asked him, "Hey, this is a nice song. Dance with me?"

     The look on his face told me he'd rather not. "Um . . . well, the thing is, I . . . I really would rather wait a bit."

     "Why? What's wrong?"

     "He doesn't really like this song," Zell piped up. "It's the first song he danced to with his ex-girlfriend, and –" Another look from Squall, and Zell backed off. "Oh . . . oops."

     "Oh, I see. That's okay." So the other sorceress has left him, I thought.

     I decided to check up on Raven, so I told him, "Well, in that case, I'm going to hang out with Raven for a bit. I'll see you in a few minutes." With that, I headed across the room to Raven, who was leaning against the wall.

     "Hey there," I greeted her. "Seifer hasn't bothered you yet?"

     "I haven't spoken to him," Raven replied. "And if I can help it, I don't plan to. And you? How are you doing with Puberty Boy?"

     "You know, you and Seifer would make a good couple – you even use the same insults!"

     "Sorry. So you were saying?"

     "He refuses to dance to this song. Zell says it's because it's the first song he danced to with his ex."

     "Oh. This is Waltz for the Moon?"

     "Don't you recognize it?"

     "Oh, Goddess, I wish I didn't. It's so annoying – it plays over and over and over again . . ."

     I sighed and shook my head. "Must you always be so negative?" I then saw Seifer approaching out of the corner of my eye. "Oh, speaking of negative . . . your date's coming."

     "May he rot in hell."

     "You'd better not say anything like that to him. I'll toast your ass if you do, understand?"

     Raven sighed. "Yeah, whatever the hell it'll take to satisfy you."

     "Good." With that, I walked back to the refreshment table. I would watch her from there and make sure she didn't mess up.

     With my sorceress abilities I tuned out the rest of the chatter around me and focused on Raven and Seifer, so I could hear their conversation. I'd always loved that skill, the ability to listen in on a conversation all the way across the room.

     "Hey, Robin –"

     "Seifer, for the last fucking time, it's Raven."

     "Yeah, I know. Anyway – how's the party so far? You having a good time?"

     "I guess so."

     "Great. You up for a dance or two?"

     Raven scoffed. "With you? I think –"

     Oh, no, she didn't. She was not going to get away with that.

     I immediately sent a short, minor shock to her head, like a second-long migraine. She lifted a hand to her head and exclaimed, "Ow!" She glared in my direction, while I quickly turned away, pretending that I had nothing to do with it. She sighed, shook her head and said, "Urm, I think I will."

     Seifer took her by the wrist and led her to the dancing floor. I smiled and decided to let her handle it.

     I went to the back to rest a bit. I leaned against the wall and thought, mostly about Squall.

     What was it going to take for me to get him to open up? Most men I'd come across had by now been at least conversing with me on a daily basis. What was up with him?

     Perhaps it's his ex that's still bothering him, I thought. We all knew who that was . . .

     I decided to give him a couple of weeks. Surely he wasn't that broken-hearted still.

     "Hey, uh, Terra?"

     It was Squall. Well, maybe he has opened up, at least partway.

     "Hi."

     "I'm getting bored. How about you?"

     "Yeah, kind of."

     "Um . . . well, then . . . you wanna dance?" He extended his hand to me.

     I smiled. "Sure." I took his hand, and he walked me to the dancing floor.

     "Hey, look, I'm sorry if I seemed a bit . . . cold," Squall said as we walked. "I'm still not too good at the whole dating thing yet." He chuckled a bit. "I guess the name 'Puberty Boy' is appropriate, if annoying."

     "It's okay," I replied. "You're just shy. You really need to open up – and it looks like you could really use some help."

     The orchestra started up another perky waltz. I placed one of Squall's hands on my waist and held the other, while placing my other hand on Squall's shoulder. "You know how to waltz?"

     "I'm kinda rusty."

     "I'll have to re-teach you, then. Alright, do you know how to do the basic box step?"

     Before long, we were spinning and turning and twirling around the dance floor. I nearly laughed out loud; I was having so much fun.

     "You dance wonderfully!" I complimented him.

     "Thanks."

     Suddenly he stopped.

     A new song had come up, and he looked toward the orchestra nervously.

     I looked at him curiously. "Squall? Are you okay?"

     He turned back to me. "Yeah . . . I'm fine." He looked to a chair in a nearby corner and continued, "You wouldn't mind if I took a break, would you?"

     "Um . . . no, not if you need one," I responded, disappointed.

     "Thank you. I'll see you later, okay?"

     With that, he went off, a bit hurriedly.

     "What's wrong?" I called after him, but he wouldn't respond.

     I bit my lip. What was up with him? Why didn't he want to be around me?

     "Hey, babe, sorry about that," a voice said from behind. Irvine walked up to me and told me, "Squall's kinda goin' through a hard time right now. He's got some issues he still has to work out, so right now he's not gonna be the best date."

     "Did I do something wrong to set him off?" I asked.

     "Oh, no, not at all. You're a great gal; he just needs time." He smiled. "In the meantime – you wanna finish up the dance with me?"

     I sighed. "Yeah, okay."

     He put an arm around my shoulders and led me back to the dance floor. We began dancing, and he asked, "So, besides that, are you having a good time?"

     "Yeah, I'm loving this. I've never been to anything this big."

     "Well, I'm surprised you haven't danced with more people. A lot of guys have been telling me they'd sure like to tango a bit with you, you know?"

     I laughed. "Really?"

     "Yeah. Raijin said you really looked like you'd be a hot partner – and he would have asked you to salsa with him, too, but Fujiin kicked him in the shin. She's his date tonight. He couldn't get anybody else."

     "Oh?"

     "Yep. Would you go out with him if he asked you?"

     I shook my head. "Probably not."

     "Well, in that case, would you go out with me if I asked you to?"

     I smiled. "I'd definitely think about it."

     After we'd danced for a few songs, I broke away from Irvine and said, "I have to go check up on Raven."

     "Okay, I'll wait for you, darlin'."

     I grinned at him and walked off toward Raven. She was sulking across the room when I greeted her.

     "Hey, you don't look so good," I said.

     "Seifer is such a terrible date," Raven fumed. "He stepped on my toe twice, and he kept trying to convince me that an evening in bed is much nicer than an evening in a ballroom. Then the jerk decided to flirt with a ton of other girls, ignoring me completely. I say good riddance." She glared at me. "Oh, and by the way, I did not appreciate that head jolt you gave me. You were eavesdropping, weren't you?"

     "Just had to make sure you didn't blow this whole date to pieces."

     "I could care less if Shitfer never wanted to speak to me again. It would rid me of a lot of trouble."

     "Just quit complaining. Your attitude isn't helping. Maybe he wouldn't act that way if you would be a bit nicer to him."

     "And let him take advantage of me?"

     "I'll talk to him, okay? Just quit being so difficult and perhaps things will get better. Has that thought ever crossed your mind? Squall isn't being the best partner either, but do you see me grumbling?"

     "He's still a rotten other half."

     "Yeah, well, you're a pretty lousy date, too." I walked off, sick and tired of her complaining.

     Just then . . .

     I felt something . . . hovering over the place. Something like a strange presence, almost. I looked around, and out of the corner of my eye, I could almost see something passing by the large window . . .

     I whirled my head around to follow the thing, whatever it was, and saw it vanish above us.

     Strange . . . I knew this feeling. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, yet still . . . I knew something was there. It was a force unlike anything I'd ever before encountered, and yet . . . familiar at the same time.

     "Yo, Terra!" Zell sprinted up and said, "The party's almost over."

     "Is it really?" I asked as I snapped out of my last train of thought.

     "Yeah. It's been three hours."

     "Already?"

     "Time flies when you're having fun, doesn't it?"

     "It's almost midnight," Raven added from behind. "I want to get out of here. Now."

     "Fine, we'll leave, if it'll make you happy," I said to her, upset. "Just let me say goodbye to Squall and Irvine."

     I went up to Irvine and Squall, who were talking nearby. "Hey, guys, thanks a lot for this. I had a great time."

     Irvine noticed me and responded, "No problem, sugar. We had an excellent time as well, didn't we, Squall?"

     "Um . . . yeah," Squall muttered.

     "Just let me know if you want to get together again sometime," Irvine added with a wink.

     I smiled. "Alright. I will." I turned to leave and waved. "See you tomorrow, huh?"

     "Yeah. Bye."

     I decided that I didn't want to walk with Raven and listen to her sulk the entire time, so I caught up with Quistis and asked, "Are you ready to go?"

     "Yes," she answered. "Let's go." With that, we went on our way.

     I was troubled by that . . . being I'd felt. What was it? If it was any sort of being, why was it here? Was it really anything at all? Or just my imagination?

What did you think? It's reeeeaally long, I know. Review the fic and tell us what you think, what you think should happen in the upcoming chapters, and the like. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Tell us in the review, or email us! We'd love to hear from you. Come on, we don't bite . . . at least, not usually . . .